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Missouri cannabis regulators announce new rules to target ‘predatory’ contracts

4 months 4 weeks ago
Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation announced new proposed rules Monday afternoon for its marijuana microbusiness program designed to combat predatory practices during the application process.  The division published a draft of the rules on its website and is asking for public feedback before it submits the proposal to the Secretary of State’s office on January […]
Rebecca Rivas

Alton Man Accused In Stalking, Attempted Burglary Case

4 months 4 weeks ago
ALTON - Justin L. Caldwell, 39, of Alton, was charged with one count of stalking (a Class 4 felony) and three counts of attempted burglary (each Class A misdemeanors). Caldwell allegedly tried entering the victim’s vehicle on three separate occasions - once on Sept. 14, 2024, again on Oct. 4, 2024, and once more on Oct. 28, 2024. On each occasion, he was accused of lifting the car door handle in an attempt to burglarize the vehicle and cause the victim emotional distress. A petition to deny his pretrial release from custody notes Caldwell has tried breaking into the victim’s vehicle “on at least three occasions,” and has admitted to going to the victim’s residence “on at least six occasions.” The petition adds Caldwell has a “high likelihood of willful flight to avoid prosecution” given his prior failures to appear in court for four prior Madison County criminal cases against him. The Alton Police Department presented th

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Quan G. Teamer Charged in Alton Gas Station Shooting

4 months 4 weeks ago
ALTON — The Alton Police Department, in collaboration with the Metro East SWAT Team, executed a search warrant on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred just over a week earlier. The operation took place in the 800 block of Brown Street, Alton. The search was part of an ongoing investigation into a shooting that happened at 4:07 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2024. The Alton Police Department was alerted by a local hospital that a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds had been admitted to their Emergency Department. The victim was subsequently transferred to a hospital in St. Louis for advanced medical care. Investigators determined that the shooting occurred in the parking lot of Circle Gas, located at 911 College Avenue, Alton. Following the investigation, the Madison County State's Attorney’s Office filed charges on Dec. 20, 2024, against 23-year-old Quan G. Teamer of Alton. The charges include aggravated battery with a firearm, reckless

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Gov. Pritzker Announces Two Appointments to Boards and Commissions

4 months 4 weeks ago
CHICAGO - Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration. Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee Anusha Thotakura will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Thotakura currently serves as the Director of Illinois Citizen Action, where she successfully led efforts to ban price gouging for generic and off-patent prescription medication. Previously, she served as Special Projects Manager for the Progressive Turnout Project and was a Graduate Civics Fellow with the Blue Haven Initiative. Thotakura earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University. Stephanie Altman will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Altman is the Director of Healthcare Justice and Senior Director of Policy at the Shriver Center on Poverty

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Alton Sex Offender Faces Theft, Meth, Other Charges

4 months 4 weeks ago
ALTON - An Alton man accused of failing to register as a sex offender faces multiple other charges in two Madison County criminal cases. Patrick J. Wooldridge, 45, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged in one case on Dec. 13, 2024 with violating the Sex Offender Registration Act (a Class 2 felony) and unlawful possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine (a Class 3 felony). In that case, Wolldridge reportedly failed to register as a sex offender with local authorities on a weekly basis as required for homeless individuals under state law. The charging documents note he had previously been convicted of the same offense in Madison County court in 2021. In another case filed on the same day, Wooldridge was charged with one count each of theft and unlawful use of a credit or debit card, both Class 4 felonies. On Nov. 23, 2024, he reportedly stole an individual’s purse wallet and house keys and knowingly used their stolen debit card to obtain merchandise.

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Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete Of Month: Granite City Sophomore Landon Harris Shines at State Cross Country Championship

4 months 4 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School sophomore Landon Harris was recognized by the Board of Education on Dec. 10, 2024, for his impressive achievement in cross country, qualifying for the 2024 IHSA Class 3A Cross Country Championship. Harris secured a time of 15:05.20, making him the 12th-fastest sophomore and earning him a 78th-place finish in the competition. Landon is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. This marks the second consecutive year that Harris has qualified for the state cross country meet, demonstrating his consistent performance in the sport. In addition to his cross country success, Harris has also excelled in track and field, having run under 2 minutes in the 800 meters and posting a time of 4:21.97 in the 1600 meters last spring. During the Board meeting, Harris was joined by Granite City High Principal Tim McChristian, GCHS Cross Country Coach Aaron Werths, and GCSD9 Board Vice President Eric Stacy, who all acknowledged

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Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month: East Alton-Wood River Student Balances Athletics and Academics

4 months 4 weeks ago
WOOD RIVER - Sierra Holbrook-Blair, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for her contributions to the cheerleading team. Holbrook-Blair, who has transitioned from soccer to cheerleading, credits her success to a supportive environment and a positive mindset. Sierra is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Holbrook-Blair began her cheerleading journey this year, having previously played soccer, where she served as a captain during her junior year. "I came into this new sport with unease but gained a positive attitude that I could do anything if I just put my mind to it," she said. The welcoming nature of her teammates and coaches, particularly head coach Alison Beachum, helped her adjust to the new atmosphere. In addition to her athletic commitments, Holbrook-Blair is actively involved in various extracurricular activities, including the National Honor Society, Big Sisters, Renaissance, Student Council, Spirit Club, and Senior Mentor.

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Federal Officials Resorting To In-Person Meetings With Trump Transition Team, Since They Insist On Using Easily Hacked Private Email

4 months 4 weeks ago
There’s usually only one reason government officials use personal email accounts: to dodge FOIA requests. The excuses offered by those caught doing it are never credible. And those who do opt for personal email — especially at the federal level — are putting themselves in peril. There are also practical security reasons for using government […]
Tim Cushing

Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of The Month: Eagles Star Adam Ogden's Hard Work Pays Off

4 months 4 weeks ago
BETHALTO - Adam Ogden, a standout player for the Civic Memorial boys basketball team, recently achieved a significant milestone by scoring his 1,000th career point. The accomplishment took place during the Roxana Tournament. Ogden's achievement was celebrated during a recent Eagles home game, where he was presented with a commemorative basketball. Ogden is a Tom Lane Male Athlete of the Month for the Eagles. Coach Lee Green praised Ogden's dedication to the sport, stating, "No one else better deserves it. He puts so much time in on his own, playing with his select AAU travel team, always in the gym shooting, and always with CM. He does so much on his own." Ogden's commitment to basketball extends beyond high school; he has expressed interest in pursuing a collegiate education while continuing to play the sport. According to Coach Green, Ogden is a "very intelligent kid" with a strong SAT score, and he is considering several universities for his future. In addition to basketball,

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Senate Confirms David Capozzi to Amtrak Board of Directors' Duckworth-created Disability Advocate Seat

4 months 4 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and author of the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act —celebrated the United States Senate voting by voice vote to confirm David Capozzi to serve on Amtrak’s Board of Directors as the Boards’ designated disability advocate—a seat created by a provision Duckworth authored and successfully included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. On Amtrak’s Board, Capozzi will help ensure senior Amtrak leadership hears the voices of individuals with disabilities who have demonstrated histories or experience with accessibility, mobility and inclusive transportation in passenger rail or commuter rail. “I worked hard to create this position on Amtrak’s Board of Directors because it is important that the disability community is represented at the table, and I’m proud that the Senate confirmed David

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