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New Initiative Eases Court Access for Illinoisans, O'Fallon Public Library Selected For Pilot Program

1 year 1 month ago
O'FALLON - A new pilot program utilizing the state’s public libraries to improve court access will offer guidance for Illinoisans struggling to navigate the legal system on their own. O'Fallon Public Library, which is in the 20th Judicial Court in St. Clair County, is part of the new statewide program and it was selected for this pilot program. The goal of the pilot program is to help people without lawyers — who may have limited technology capabilities or transportation challenges — more easily access legal information and assistance at their local public library. O'Fallon Library Director Ryan Johnson said there is training involved before O'Fallon Library will officially begin the assistance for individuals on court-related issues. He will have staff well-versed in various forms in the filing process and also there will be a Zoom court for people to respond to some court-related issues, among other new services. "We are excited to be selected to be part of this

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The federal government is coming to rescue Asheville

1 year 1 month ago
Apparently it's becoming a thing on the right to claim that North Carolina is being ignored and Biden/Harris are slow rolling federal aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. This is nuts even from a cynical political perspective, since Democrats desperately want to win NC in November and this a great opportunity to show how ...continue reading "The federal government is coming to rescue Asheville"
Kevin Drum

Over $212,000 In Library/Literacy Grants Coming To Metro East, Thanks To Swansea Sen.Christopher Belt

1 year 1 month ago
SWANSEA — With strong support from State Senator Christopher Belt, three organizations in the 57th Senate District are set to receive more than $212,000 in funding through library and literacy grant programs. “This funding has allowed libraries and literacy programs all over the state provide the best services possible,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Libraries are full of opportunity for all ages, so it’s essential we continue to support them in whatever ways we can.” The programs are administered through the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, who has awarded nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million for literacy programs throughout the state. The following organizations in the 57th District will receive funding: Mascoutah Public Library - $34,840 Southwestern Illinois College - $84,384 MindsEye Radio - $93,626 The goal of the grants is to enhance online catalogues, support day-to-day operations, expand

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Duckworth, Durbin Laud Scott Airforce Base's Selection As Finalist for New KC-46A Aircraft Main Operating Base  

1 year 1 month ago
BELLEVILLE – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today expressed their support for Scott Air Force Base’s 126th Air Refueling Wing’s bid to become a KC-46A’s main operating base (MOB) after the Air Force announced Scott was selected as a finalist for the role. The KC-46A aircraft is the first phase in modernizing the U.S. Air Force's aging tanker fleet and selecting Scott would protect the 347 ANG positions currently overseeing the KC-135 aircrafts while adding 94 new ANG positions to support the incoming KC-46A’s— overall expanding the Metro East’s local economy as well as helping to ensure the continued success of the Base. “Scott Air Force Base (AFB) is an important driver of our state’s economy, a key piece to our country’s national security and a critical support network for the individuals who serve, along with their families,” Duckworth

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Gateway CEO Program Builds Local High Schoolers into Entrepreneurs

1 year 1 month ago
TROY - The Gateway CEO program offers entrepreneurial opportunities to high schoolers in the Collinsville, Triad, Maryville and Highland communities. At a recent festival celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Colon spoke about the benefits of the CEO program and how it prepares students to succeed in high school and beyond. Colon, the facilitator of Gateway CEO, noted her excitement to see the program thriving. “We’re a CEO family,” she said. “It’s an amazing program to watch grow. We made it through COVID and stabilized and we’ve just continued to grow, and it’s really exciting.” Colon explained that there are two tracks in the CEO program. On the “doing business” track, students brainstorm and collaborate to create their own businesses. They also organize a major fundraising event, which will be announced soon, Colon teased. On the learning side of

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Man Charged With Weapon Possession, Telephone Line Theft

1 year 1 month ago
JERSEYVILLE - A convicted felon faces new criminal charges in Jersey County after allegedly stealing telephone line and having a weapon in his possession. Timothy R. Woodrome, 44, of Olive Branch, Ill., was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and one count of theft/unauthorized control between $500-$10,000. On Sept. 21, 2024, Woodrome allegedly possessed a set of brass knuckles after previously being convicted of a felony in Illinois. Jersey County court records show he was previously convicted of theft of over $500 in a 2011 criminal case. In his latest case, Woodrome was charged once again with theft for stealing an undisclosed amount of “600 pair telephone truck line.” The telephone line was valued at over $500 and was property of AT&T. Woodrome faces a Super Class 3 felony for the weapon charge and a Class 3 felony for the theft charge. Jersey County court records indicate he has since been granted pretrial release from custody.

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St. Clair County Included: IDES To Accept Unemployment Assistance Applications After July Storms and Flooding

1 year 1 month ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to eligible individuals in Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago Counties who were impacted by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding in July as a result of a major disaster declaration issued by President Biden on September 20, 2024. DUA benefits are federally funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). St. Clair County, seriously impacted in the July funding around the Belleville area, residents are eligible to apply for these benefits. “IDES is grateful that federal disaster relief, including the availability of DUA benefits, has been authorized for individuals impacted by the severe storms and flooding during the summer,” said IDES Director Ray Marchiori. “The Department is ready to provide assistance to those affected and bring relief to the area’s

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This Day in History on September 30: James Dean's Fatal Car Crash

1 year 1 month ago
September 30th has been a day of remarkable occurrences and significant milestones throughout history. 1969: The Birth of the Internet On September 30, 1969, the first message was sent over ARPANET, the precursor to the modern Internet. UCLA's Leonard Kleinrock and his team managed to log into a computer at the Stanford Research Institute, marking the first successful transmission of data over a network. This breakthrough laid the foundation for the interconnected world we live in today, revolutionizing communication, commerce, and daily life. 1992: The Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch This day in 1992 witnessed the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour on its second mission, STS-47. The mission was notable for being the first with a Japanese astronaut, Mamoru Mohri, and for its focus on life and material sciences in microgravity. The successful mission contributed significantly to our understanding of space and the effects of prolonged spaceflight on the human body. 1888:

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