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Biden issues first pardons and sentencing commutations of his presidency

3 years 2 months ago

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday granted clemency to nearly 80 individuals charged with nonviolent crimes and unveiled an administration strategy to help formerly incarcerated people secure employment. Of that list, three were pardons and 75 were commutations, which is a reduction in an individual’s prison sentence. They were the first pardons and commutations […]

The post Biden issues first pardons and sentencing commutations of his presidency appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Ariana Figueroa

Startup that helps renters buy their first home raises $2.6M

3 years 2 months ago
Founded in 2021, Gravy has created a mobile app with features meant to help prepare renters to purchase their first homes. Through the app, users can open a FDIC-insured savings account to save for a down payment, complete home buying education courses and participate in a rewards program.
Nathan Rubbelke

Ohio Bans Bradford Pear Trees. Should Missouri Follow Suit?

3 years 2 months ago
Last year we wrote about how the Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force was offering to haul away your Bradford pear trees, which are currently blooming all over St. Louis, and replace them with something less terrible. The problem with Bradford pear trees? For one thing, their smell.
Allison Babka

Bob & Bev Moore Celebrate Their 65th Anniversary

3 years 2 months ago
Robert (Bob) and Beverly (McNear) Moore of Godfrey will be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on May 11, 2022. Wedding vows were exchanged on May 11, 1957, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Alton with Father Croake performing the ceremony. Bob retired from Canteen Vending Company after 40 years and Rolling Hills Golf Course after 20 years. Beverly retired from the Bank of Edwardsville with over 20 years and Rolling Hills Golf Course after 15 years. Their children are Dana and Tony Armenta of California, Brian and Karen Moore of Godfrey, Kimberly and Frank Rothe of Brighton, Robert Moore of Godfrey, and Chris and Marilyn Moore of Wood River. Bob and Bev are proud grandparents to nine grandchildren: Kristy (Mike) Pulley, Adam (Heather) Rothe, Hannah (Drew) Joehl, Jessica (Erik Jaffry, Patrick (Marisa) Moore, Laura Moore, Brittney (Kolby) Bissell, Kendall and Kelsey Moore. They are also proud great grandparents to seventeen grandchildren: Koller, Kaden, and Merritt Moore;

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SIUE School of Nursing Doubles Scholarship Support, Celebrates Impact

3 years 2 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing (SON) has doubled the number of awards and associated monetary total aimed at supporting student success through generous annual and endowed scholarships. During its Scholarship and Awards Ceremony held Monday, April 11, SON administrators, faculty, staff, students and donors gathered to celebrate the distribution of 60 awards valued at more than $60,000. “It is my absolute delight to welcome everyone to this in-person gathering,” shared Senior Director of Development Patti McDonald. “This has been an extremely challenging last couple of years for us all, personally and professionally. But, the response of nurses, nurse educators and our students to these difficult and ever-changing circumstances has been nothing short of heroic. The world has truly discovered the value of nurses and their significant impact on quality of life and well-being.” “On behalf of the School of Nursing,

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Local Metal Recycling Company Resilient Amid Pandemic, Supported by Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

3 years 2 months ago
ALTON - After learning by doing, and accumulating 20 years of first-hand experience in the scrap industry, Douglas Francis launched his entrepreneurial journey with his company Alton Dock Works, LLC. Since?June 2021, he has?been a?client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville?and Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May, after first contacting the SBDC for help with his SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). In high school, Douglas was introduced to the scrap industry. He attended Greenville College and continued his career in not just scrapping but specifically ferrous and non-ferrous metals. He worked at Azcon Corporation, PSC Metals, and then Azcon Corporation again trading scrap metal and shipping all around the world. Francis then decided to use his contacts in the metal industry to venture out on his own. He began his journey full force. Finding a location in Alton, building a clientele, networking, and

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Plans Underway for the 24th Annual Route 66 Festival: City Seeks Sponsors

3 years 2 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the 24th Annual Route 66 Festival on Saturday, June 11 at City Park, 101 S. Buchanan Street in downtown Edwardsville. This year's festival will feature live music, the classic car cruise, food vendors and an artisan market, inflatables, a petting zoo, and the Route 66 10K Run will also be coming back – sponsored by Metro Milers. “We are so excited to announce the return of the Route 66 Festival this year with many new offerings; there really is something for everyone!” said Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy “This family-friendly event will include games and prizes, a variety of food options, shopping, and entertainment, and it could not happen without the generous support of our business community.” Sponsorship opportunities are listed below and additional details can be found in the sponsorship breakdown . The deadline to participate is Friday, May 13: The Mother

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Disney Concerts And Live Nation Present Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert Tour

3 years 2 months ago
ST. LOUIS - Disney Concerts and Live Nation have announced the Encanto: The SingAlong Film Concert Tour, where Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning film comes to life in a one-of-a-kind concert event, featuring the entire feature-length film and an on-stage band celebrating all the record-breaking hit songs from the beloved soundtrack. The 32-city tour kicks off on Monday, July 18th in Ridgefield, WA, making stops across the U.S., including the Stifel Theatre in St. Louis on July 31, and more before wrapping up in Chicago, IL on Saturday, August 28th. The Encanto Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features eight original songs by Academy Award-nominated, Tony® and Grammy®-winning songwriter/composer LinManuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) with an original score by Academy Award-nominated composer Germaine Franco. The R.I.A.A. Platinum-certified soundtrack held the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 album chart for 9 non-consecutive

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Cutting-edge Microplastic Research

3 years 2 months ago
EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) team is launching a multi-year microplastics initiative to understand how plastics are affecting our freshwater ecosystems. “Scientists have only recently discovered that microplastics are found in almost all areas of the environment and are being ingested by most organisms, including humans” Large River Ecologist Jason Knouft said. “Unfortunately, we don't really know if and how these particles are affecting our health. This is likely an issue that impacts us all and requires significant attention.” Microplastics are defined as plastic pieces less than five millimeters or 0.2 inches in diameter. They have been detected in marine organisms as small as plankton, commercial seafood, and our drinking water. As of March 2022, leading health researchers have also detected microplastics in human blood. Microplastics are becoming increasingly prevalent in the environment and

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