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SIUE Students Destiony Phillips and Ashley Wahome Receive Donald M. Suggs Scholarships

1 day 16 hours ago
EDWARDSVILLE - For mother of three, full-time nurse and student Destiony Phillips, time and money can sometimes be in short commodity. That is why the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior was thrilled when she was awarded a Donald M. Suggs Scholarship. Phillips, who is majoring in nursing, was one of two SIUE students to receive a scholarship from The St. Louis American newspaper’s 501 (c)3, the St. Louis American Foundation. Ashley Muthoni Wahome, a School of Engineering senior, was the other University recipient. Phillips and Wahome, each received $1,000 for the fall 2024 semester. “As a full-time nurse and mother of three children, ranging in ages 7 to 14, this scholarship helps redirect some of my finances toward caring for my family,” shared Phillips. “It is also extremely helpful leading into the holiday months.” The field of nursing was a calling that Phillips felt early on. “My younger brother was born with low functioning

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Edwardsville Woman Faces Child Battery Charge

1 day 16 hours ago
EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville woman faces a felony aggravated battery charge after striking an 8-year-old child with an electrical cord. Tantiyana S. Bacon, 29, of Edwardsville, was charged on Nov. 15, 2024 with aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony) and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor). On Sept. 20, 2024, Bacon allegedly struck an 8-year-old child who was a household or family member “with an electrical cord about his body, leaving marks,” according to court documents. The Edwardsville Police Department presented the case against Bacon, who was remanded to jail for her initial court appearance. Madison County Sheriff’s Office records indicate she has since been released from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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$650,000 Lucky Day Lotto Jackpot Winner Used Numbers Related To Late Wife

1 day 16 hours ago
CHICAGO – An Illinois Lottery player from Chicago scooped up a $650,000 Lucky Day Lotto jackpot prize after playing numbers related to his late wife. “I typically play Pick 4 but that day, I noticed that the Lucky Day Lotto jackpot was pretty high so I decided to switch it up and try something new,” said the winner, aka “Big Money D.” “I picked numbers related to my late wife – when I won, it felt like it was a message from her.” The winning ticket was purchased for the Saturday, November 16 evening drawing at Mariano’s in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, located at 5201 North Sheridan Road. The winner mentioned that it took an entire day for his win to sink in. “I’m still so shocked and excited about the win, I have barely been able to sleep!,” exclaimed the lucky winner. Big Money D purchased the winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket matching all five numbers in the November 16 evening drawing to score

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IDOA 'Fall Covers For Spring Savings' Crop Incentive Program Returns

1 day 16 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is implementing its sixth year of the popular Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program. Users will again be able to enter their information into the application and validate it during a pre-enrollment period starting at 8 a.m. CST on December 4, 2024. Applications can be submitted once the program opens at 8 a.m. on December 16, 2024. Prior to submission, applications can be saved and edited at any time. Pre-Enrollment Opens 8 a.m. CST, December 4, 2024 Program Opens (Applications can be submitted) 8 a.m. CST, Monday, December 16, 2024 Program Closes 11:59 p.m. CST, January 15, 2025 A total of 190,000 acres are available for the 2025 program. In 2024, this acreage allotment was met in less than an hour, and a total of over 241,650 acres were requested by the time the application period ended. Funding of eligible acreage is on a first come, first serve basis. “The ‘Fall Covers

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Belt To Host Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway At Belleville YMCA

1 day 16 hours ago
BELLEVILLE – State Senator Christopher Belt is partnering with State Representative Jay Hoffman, Downtown Belleville YMCA, Meridian, YouthCare, and HealthChoice Illinois to host a turkey giveaway on Monday, Nov. 25 in Belleville. “Every family should be able to have a nice, hot meal on Thanksgiving,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Representative Hoffman and I know the importance of giving during the holiday season, and this turkey giveaway is the best way to start.” The giveaway will be held at the Downtown Belleville YMCA located at 200 S. Illinois St. on Monday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. while supplies last. One turkey will be provided per household. An ID is required to differentiate households per car. For more information, call Senator Belt’s office at 618-875-1212 or visit his website .

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Illinois American Water Provides Tips for Identifying Scammers on Utility Scam Awareness Day

1 day 16 hours ago
BELLEVILLE – Illinois American Water wants to keep customers and the general public safe on Utility Scam Awareness Day by providing important tips to help identify and avoid scammers targeting unsuspecting utility customers. Utility company imposters often attempt to scam individuals in two main ways: 1) they may pose as utility workers to gain access to someone's home; 2) they might urgently contact the person, either by phone or another method, demanding immediate payment to prevent a disruption in services. It's important to be cautious and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a utility worker before letting them into your home or providing any personal information. Illinois American Water urges customers and the general public to verify the identity of utility workers by requesting identification before granting access to their homes or businesses. All Illinois American Water employees carry a company-issued photo ID, wear company branded clothing

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Chair Durbin Leads Senate Judiciary Democrats In Letter Asking FBI For Complete Evidentiary File In The Investigation Of Matt Gaetz

1 day 16 hours ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led Senate Judiciary Democrats in a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray requesting that the FBI provide to the Senate Judiciary Committee the complete evidentiary file, including documents memorializing interviews, in the closed investigation of former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s alleged sex trafficking of minors. The letter follows President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement of his intention to nominate Mr. Gaetz to serve as Attorney General. The Senators wrote, “We request that you provide to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary the complete evidentiary file, including all FD-302 forms memorializing interviews, in the closed investigation of former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s alleged sex trafficking of minors. As you are aware, President-elect Trump has announced his intent to nominate Mr. Gaetz to be Attorney General.

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Attorney General Raoul Urges Congress To Pass Kids Online Safety Act

1 day 17 hours ago
CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 32 attorneys general, called on Congressional leadership to pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), legislation that protects children from online harm, before the end of the year. In a letter to Congressional leaders, the coalition emphasized the urgent need to address the growing youth mental health crisis linked to social media use, with studies showing minors spend more than five hours daily online. “American children and teenagers are in the grip of a devastating mental health crisis,” Raoul said. “The addictive features on many social media platforms interfere with sleep and education, and contribute to depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and thoughts of self-harm. I am proud to join my fellow attorneys general in urging Congress to approve the Kids Online Safety Act and require companies to take reasonable steps to protect young people from harm online.”

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GRID Solar Explain System Efficiency Under New Net Metering Policy Changes

1 day 17 hours ago
ALTON - GRID Solar explained their services on a recent episode of “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello . Jason Mitchell, who co-owns the company, noted that solar power is very accessible to people these days. He is happy to work with customers to help them design the system that is best for them under new net metering policy changes. “It’s completely attainable,” Mitchell said. “It’s a middle-class thing. It’s not a one-percenter thing.” When designing a solar system, GRID Solar takes each household’s needs into account. They study your energy bill and deduce how much energy you typically use, and then they design the system to meet that need. Mitchell pointed out that weather can affect a system’s efficiency, but GRID Solar designs their systems with this in mind. They make sure the solar systems are always producing a little extra energy, just in case cloud coverage or storms affect the energy production.

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Granite City Rotary Honors Students of the Month for October

1 day 17 hours ago
GRANITE CITY - The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Emilee Connolly and Alex Vaughn as Students of the Month for October. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree will receive a framed certificate and a gift card , and will be recognized at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on March 25, 2025. EMILEE CONNOLLY Three-year member of girls tennis and softball teams Community Service Committee President Secondary Honors and Saturday Scholars Member of Renaissance, Student Council and Varsity Club Volunteer at Relleke Farms and Thanksgiving and Christmas Basket delivery Daughter of Ed and Krista Connolly. ALEX VAUGHN Assistant Captain of Hockey Team Honor Roll Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spirit Club, Varsity Club and Yearbook Son of Greg and Amy Vaughn.

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Trump’s victory throws new USDA framework on seed industry into question

1 day 17 hours ago
Imagine two fields, side-by-side. One grows genetically modified corn, the seed bought from a major firm. The other grows organic where the farmer stresses about cross-contamination. The company that produced the neighbor’s corn seed has patented its product, restricting its use. If the grower’s corn intermingles with the neighbor’s, the organic farmer worries about being […]
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