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EDWARDSVILLE — Officials and community leaders in Madison County kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month on Friday at the Madison County Administration Building. Pink and blue cutouts of children line the lobby of the administration building, each one symbolizing a child interviewed by Child Advocacy Center during the past year over allegations of abuse. Also on display are T-shirts from the Oasis Women’s Center Clothesline Project that abused children paint and decorate. Madison County Chief Circuit Judge William Mudge who emceed the event said since the establishment of the CAC 20 years ago, forensic interviewers conducted thousands of interviews on children. “I would encourage any of you to visit CAC’s website to see all the things they do, the people they collaborate with and what they’ve done to help children,” Mudge said. “They’ve become one of the leading centers in the state.” He said in his my mind the CAC exemplifies

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The victim in the fatal motor vehicle accident in the 9000 block of Lucas and Hunt in the City of Jennings has been identified as Joseph Johnson, 26 years of age, of the 2000 block of Retford Drive in Florissant, Missouri 63033. The St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons Detectives are currently investigating the fatal accident. On April 1, 2022, at approximately 11:04 PM, St. Louis County Police Officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded to a call for service for a motor vehicle crash in the area of Lucas and Hunt Road and Hord Avenue. Upon arrival, responding officers observed two motor vehicles involved in the crash. Preliminary investigation has revealed a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, operated by Driver 1, was eastbound on Lucas and Hunt Road when it crossed into oncoming traffic, striking a 2008 BMW X3 operated by Driver #2, which was traveling westbound. The Mitsubishi Lancer was occupied by the driver and one occupant. Driver #1

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Letter To The Editor: So Senator Duckworth wants to go after oil price "gougers". I personally think the biggest "gouger" is the State of Illinois! Illinois just doubled the state's excise tax 2 1/2 years ago, and indexed it to inflation! Hello, we all know what inflation is doing now. And you watch, when the inflation rate drops back down I'll bet that excise tax stays high. It will only go up, not back down. And then, what about the especially cruel gouging tax on the backs of Illinoisians? That's the 6.25% sales tax Illinois also exploits from its citizens creating a price distortion that gets even higher, the higher the price! We need some transparency in gasoline prices; let the gas stations post the pre-tax price per gallon so everyone can know how much they are being "gouged" with taxes! Or, the question should be: Why do gas stations price gas with all taxes included? Mike McCune

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COLLINSVILLE – St. John’s Community Care is happy to announce the addition of Music Therapy to their Adult Day Program therapies. Music Therapy has had a long history of benefiting those with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders. People with dementia demonstrate strong recognition of familiar music. “We are delighted to be able to offer this valuable therapy option at both of our centers in Collinsville and Edwardsville. Music therapy is an optimistic and innovative approach to aiding people with memory loss. Programs like this are a vision for how we can change the way we think and care for people with memory loss,” said Nancy Berry, Executive Director for St. John’s Community Care. Music provides stimulation and cues that can aid in memory retention and recall. Studies show that daily exposure to familiar music can alter functional brain connectivity and improve cognitive responses, attention, and focus. St. John’s music therapist

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STAUNTON - Four generations of the Mayfield family have shaped Max B. Mullins and Mayfield’s into a Staunton institution. Mayfield’s is not only a family-owned business, the Mayfield name is synonymous with hard work and customer service. Ask anyone in the community and they will tell you that each Mayfield employee, many of them family members, is completely invested in the satisfaction of their customers. Expanding yearly, the business now offers a complete line of landscaping essentials, including beautiful fountains and yard ornaments. They also sell a large line of unique gifts. BUSINESS HISTORY 1960: Paul and Maybelle Mayfield, and their eight children, move from Granite City, IL?to Staunton, opening Mayfield’s Produce at 120 S. Hibbard. The business became a favorite of locals and residents from surrounding communities. 1987: The family decides to expand, adding a garden center. The sons opened Mayfield Bros. Produce, Inc., specializing in fresh fruits and

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ST. LOUIS – World Wide Technology Raceway will host the annual Mother Road Rendezvous nostalgia event on May 6-7. Nostalgia drag racing will take place on Friday, May 6. On Saturday, the nostalgia drags will be joined by the traditional pre-’70 car show, rockabilly DJs, pin-up girl contest, vintage campers and midway vendors. Nostalgia drag racing classes include Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Cars, Nostalgia Drag Racing League (NDRL), Gasser Madness classes, Hot Rod Eliminator class and Victory Nostalgia Super Stocks. On the midway, the traditional ’60-and-older car show will award the iconic WWTR MRR pinstriped electric guitar to the Best in Show winner. The pin-up girl contest will award cash prizes. Rockabilly DJs will entertain throughout the event. The Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Car Circuit will send four cars to WWTR, including John Troxel’s “Brutus” Mustang, Chuck Horvath’s “Mopar Missile” Challenger and Dale Kleinhoffer’s

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GODFREY - For current information regarding Lewis and Clark Community College’s operations during the pandemic, please visit lc.edu/coronavirus. Recurring event: Alton Area Tax Project: 5-7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, Templin Nursing Building, NU201, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. Appointments are required. Visit https://AltonAreaTaxProject.com/appointment or call (314) 292-9597. 4/2 – Trailblazers Baseball vs. Lincoln Land: 1 and 3 p.m., Godfrey Ballpark, 1401B Stamper Ln., Godfrey. (618) 468-5253. 4/3 – Illinois RiverWatch Training Workshop: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Olin Science Building, Room 520, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-4784. 4/8 – Trailblazers Baseball vs. John Wood: 1 and 3 p.m., Godfrey Ballpark, 1401B Stamper Ln., Godfrey. (618) 468-5253. 4/8 – 17 th Annual Student Art Exhibit Opening Reception: 4-6 p.m., Gallery, Hatheway Cultural

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ALTON - Alton Area Community Businesses and Leaders are hosting a Community Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 17, 2022, from 2 pm to 6 pm at Gordon Moore Park. This event is open to the public. Free food, games for all ages, free haircuts, prizes, and giveaways. Transportation to the event will be provided at the following locations starting at 1:00 pm: Today’s Beauty Supply, Alton Acres Center, Oakwood Center, Alton Pointe, and James H. Killion Park. If you would like to become a sponsor or volunteer, please contact Leon Smallwood-Bey at 618-216-0941 or Rosie Brown at 618-580-2394

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SOUTH ROXANA - At 12:30 a.m. on April 4, South Roxana attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a suspected impaired driver which resulted in a vehicle pursuit and ended in a traffic crash in East Alton. The suspect vehicle fled from the accident with heavy vehicle damage. The driver of the other car was taken to a local hospital and treated for injuries sustained in the crash. The police officer contacted Police Chief Bob Coles to inform him about the accident. Chief Coles responded to the scene to check on the condition of the driver and his officer. Due to the extent of the damage, Chief Coles believed the driver could not have made it too far from the accident. Chief Coles had South Roxana Officer Bryce Dell ride with him to canvass the area to look for the fleeing vehicle. Chief Coles found the vehicle and driver located parked behind a closed business on Fosterburg Road in Alton. When the officers attempted to take the subject into custody, the subject fled from the officers and

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EDWARDSVILLE - The victims in the Saturday morning homicide in the 1000 block of McDonough Lake Road in rural Collinsville have been identified as Jamie L. Joiner, 30, and her sister, Jessica, 34, from California. The alleged shooter Adam Cobb, 32, of the rural Collinsville residence, died at 4:40 a.m. Sunday from injuries suffered after a traffic stop near Pana, IL. Jamie L. Joiner lived at the residence but was in the process of leaving Adam. Major Jeff Connor, the Chief Deputy of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a press conference Sunday to distribute more information about the homicides and the alleged shooter. Police located Cobb’s vehicle around 1 p.m. Saturday moving north on Route 127 near Hillsboro. Officers attempted to pull Cobb over but he darted away, causing a police pursuit. Illinois State Police entered in the chase, which crossed Route 16 and then onto Route 51. Cobb’s damaged vehicle stopped around 1:50 p.m. on Route 51 north of Pana.

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ALTON - The Bridge Church in Alton is hosting a quarter auction on Wednesday, April 6. Pastor Steven Helfrich said all of the proceeds from the event will be donated directly towards helping Ukrainian refugees. The quarter auction will be held at The Bridge Church at 504 East 12th Street in Alton. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the auction will begin at 7 p.m. “Our goal … with the quarter auction is realizing the fact that we’re all the way over here, and we’re not close to the situation, but we can help by giving,” said Helfrich. “We also wanted to create community togetherness in our community, as we’re seeking to help what’s going on for the Ukrainian people, too,” he said. Helfrich’s wife, who is from Poland, has friends in Poland who are working along the Polish-Ukrainian border to help find housing for Ukrainian refugees. The proceeds from the quarter auction will be donated directly towards those efforts.

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PANA – At approximately 11:14 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022, the Illinois State Police Collinsville Communications Center communicated information on the ISP Emergency Radio Network (ISPERN) provided by the Madison County Sheriff's Office about a suspect wanted for a double homicide in the Collinsville area. Shortly after 1 p.m., local law enforcement located the vehicle northbound on Illinois Route 127 near Hillsboro. A pursuit ensued after officers attempted a traffic stop, which was later joined by ISP Troopers. The pursuit crossed Illinois Route 16, then north onto U.S. Route 51. After becoming partially disabled, the suspect vehicle came to a stop on U.S. Route 51 just north of Pana, IL., at approximately 1:53 p.m. The driver of the suspect vehicle exited and pointed a firearm in the direction of an ISP Trooper. The ISP Trooper discharged their duty weapon in the direction of the suspect. The suspect was taken to a regional hospital for the treatment of serious, life-threatening

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ST. LOUIS – Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons concert on April 8, 2022, at Stifel Theatre is rescheduled due to elective tear duct surgery that requires more time to heal. Frankie is deeply sorry to disappoint his fans and is doing what his doctor recommends, ensuring a speedy recovery. He is now looking forward to performing for St Louis in concert on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Previously purchased tickets for the April 8 show will be honored at the new date. Tickets for the new date can still be purchased at Ticketmaster.com About Danny Zelisko Presents: Danny Zelisko has been bringing shows to the Southwest since 1974. He founded the legendary Evening Star Productions in 1976, helping make the Southwest a viable stop on most contemporary tours, producing thousands of shows over the years. Danny proudly partnered Grateful Dead shows with Bill Graham Presents in Phoenix and Las Vegas in the '80s and '90s. About One Eleven: Scott Gelman, President of One Eleven Productions,

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ROCKFORD - A recent study by the American Heart Association (AHA) revealed that some patients tend to suffer memory loss following a heart attack. The study was actually six long-term studies that observed 31,000 people from 1971 to 2017. At the time they were enrolled, none of the people had yet had a heart attack or displayed any signs of dementia. The data showed that 1,047 participants, who were followed from five to 20 years and later had a heart attack, showed faster decline in memory, global cognition and executive function in the years after the heart attack compared to those in the study who hadn’t suffered a heart attack. According to the AHA, this is one of the first studies to look at how sudden cardiac events like heart attacks affect brain function over the short and long term. “With a heart attack the blood is not being properly pumped to the brain so there could be some damage," says Dr. Mirza Ali Khan, a family practice physician with OSF HealthCare.

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GRANITE CITY – The beginning of a major housing transformation is occurring in a steel manufacturing town just 10 miles northeast of St. Louis. The third-largest city in Southern Illinois (population 27,549), Granite City is taking an entrepreneurial, homeowner incentives-based approach to revitalizing its housing stock, attracting investment, and bolstering pride in homeownership. Granite, as locals refer to it, is launching a pilot program to incentivize home buyers and investors to increase homeownership and community pride the historic neighborhoods of Lincoln Place, West Granite, and the downtown area. The city’s recipe for success? Pairing two respected economic development incentives – one that waives sales tax for major home improvements, with another that holds a homeowner’s property tax constant for 10 years, based upon the assessed value prior to when any of the home improvements have occurred. The result is a powerful homeowner-specific incentives

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THE CONVERSATION - When the Human Genome Project announced that they had completed the first human genome in 2003, it was a momentous accomplishment - for the first time, the DNA blueprint of human life was unlocked. But it came with a catch - they weren’t actually able to put together all the genetic information in the genome. There were gaps: unfilled, often repetitive regions that were too confusing to piece together. With advancements in technology that could handle these repetitive sequences, scientists finally filled those gaps in May 2021 , and the first end-to-end human genome was officially published on Mar. 31, 2022 . I am a genome biologist who studies repetitive DNA sequences and how they shape genomes throughout evolutionary history. I was part of the team that helped characterize the repeat sequences missing from the genome. And now, with a truly complete human genome, these uncovered repetitive regions are finally being explored in full for the first time

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SPRINGFIELD - The Christian County Sheriff's Office said a suspect wanted after possible double homicide in Collinsville started a chase in the county when he refused to pull over. He was spotted first near Hillsboro, IL. The suspect sped through Nokomis and into Christian County and the suspect stopped his vehicle 5 miles south of Assumption, IL., on U.S. 51 where law enforcement said a shooting that involved the suspect and police took place. The suspect was discovered down and apprehended and also airlifted to a Springfield area hospital. No condition report was available, law enforcement said, but there were no other individuals or officers hurt in the gunfire. More should be released about the situation at a press conference in Madison County on Sunday.

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COLLINSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement are investigating the deaths of two females outside a residence in the 1000 block of McDonough Lake Road on Saturday. The Madison County Sheriff's Office said that at 10:26 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022, the office, along with the Collinsville Police were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of McDonough Lake Road, in reference to a 911 call where it sounded like a possible disturbance. "Upon arrival, officers found the deceased bodies of two females outside this residence," Jeff Connor, Chief Deputy of the Madison County Sheriff's Office said. "Both females appeared to be victims of a possible homicide. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office took over the scene and after clearing the scene with the assistance of Collinsville and State Police officers, it was determined the suspect had fled. The scene is currently being processed by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Coroner,

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COTTAGE HILLS - Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 100 block of Harvel Court in Cottage Hills on Saturday. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said proper precautions were taken in this case, but after considerable discussion, it ended peacefully. There was not a report of any arrest yet in the case and everyone was reported safe.

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ALTON - Alton Memorial Hospital’s partnership with Books for Newborns and the Alton Public Schools has been renewed for a third year thanks to an empowering $5,000 grant from Ameren Illinois. To date, more than 1,000 newborns at Alton Memorial have received book bags containing five age-appropriate books and reading materials courtesy of Ameren Illinois’ first two $5,000 grants. Books for Newborns has also provided books to older children participating in the hospital’s outpatient therapy programs. “ These are good people doing great work for a fantastic cause,” said Rusty Ingram, director of Business Development for Alton Memorial Hospital. “We are grateful to Ameren Illinois for helping them help us provide the gift of reading to the young people in our care. Our new moms, the nurses who care for them and their babies, and everyone here hope this program will continue for years to come.” Books for Newborns is a 100 percent volunteer

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