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North County Inc. reports on Publc Safety community awareness

1 month 2 weeks ago

     LEADERSHIP GROUP    From Left: Major Tim Sanders, Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Dept., Captain Blake Carrigan, St. Ann Police Dept., Rebecca Zoll, NCI Pres./CEO, Chief Kenneth Gregory, St. Louis Co. Police, Chief James Hudanick, Hazelwood Police Dept., Captain Matthew Larson, Normandy Police Dept., Chief Jim Usry, NCI Chairman of the Board and Pattonville Fire […]

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Alton High School Student Nominated for St. Louis Theater Award

1 month 2 weeks ago
ALTON/ST. LOUIS - An Alton High School senior has been nominated for a regional theater award. Nadja Kapetanovich received a St. Louis Theater Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for her performance in “The Whale” with St. Louis Actors’ Studio. Kapetanovich said that her experience with the St. Louis Actors’ Studio was “like none other,” and she is proud of the nomination. “I have always loved the idea of playing a role and getting to tell a story to an audience,” she said. “I specifically found a deep passion for dramas, which is the reason why I decided to audition. I love the experience of getting to emotionally connect and move audiences through a heartbreaking story.” Kapetanovich began acting at age 8 and has been “hooked ever since.” She is currently preparing to play the Baker’s Wife in Alton High School’s production of “Into the Woods,” se

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Comptroller Susana Mendoza Urges The Public To Watch Out For Tax Related Scams

1 month 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD - Tax season is well underway, and with the documents and number-crunching come con artists looking to steal your money. “As you prepare to file your state and federal income tax returns, it’s important to protect your personal information,” says Comptroller Mendoza. “Scammers use this time of year as an opportunity to take advantage of people just trying to get their paperwork done.” Most commonly, con artists will pose as an IRS employee, contacting people by text, email or phone and asking for personal information or even offering a refund. Some calls may be threatening, saying the taxpayer needs to send money right away or click on a link to correct a problem on their return. The IRS’ preferred method of communication is mail through the USPS so be suspicious of any other contact. What’s even scarier is that scammers are now using AI to replicate the voice of a trusted accountant or tax preparer so if you feel like something

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Illinois State Police To Host Its First Ever All-Women Law Enforcement Recruitment Event

1 month 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is hosting its first ever all-women recruitment event to encourage women to explore the many career paths available both as sworn police officers and as civilian employees. The ISP Academy will be open to the public for the free event on March 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ISP will share employment information and provide opportunities to meet professionals in various law enforcement specialties, including forensic science, investigations, telecommunications, crime scene services, patrol, and more. ISP is committed to increasing the number of women at ISP and is participating in the 30X30 Initiative , a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to support and advance the representation, experiences, and well-being of women in policing agencies. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, about 14% of full-time sworn officers and 11% of first-line supervisors across local

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Duckworth, Kim Introduce Legislation to Reinstate Veterans Who Were Fired in Trump and Elon Musk's Indiscriminate Federal Employee Purge

1 month 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC)—and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) introduced the Protect Veteran Jobs Act, legislation that would reinstate Veterans who were fired from their jobs as part of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s indiscriminate purge of federal employees. Veterans make up more than 30 percent of the federal workforce and it is estimated that Trump and Musk have already fired more than 6,000 of those men and women who have served in uniform. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk have fired more Veterans than any Administration in our nation’s history—it is a stunningly cruel betrayal of the men and women who bravely answered the call to serve our country in uniform,” said Senator Duckworth. “Veterans who choose to continue their service to our country in the federal workforce deserve our utmost gratitude, but instead this Administration

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Granite City Officers Dive Into Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

1 month 2 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY - Granite City Police Department officers and staff recently took part in the 2025 Polar Plunge, an event aimed at raising funds for Special Olympics. Officers Eric Klumpp, Nick Zambito, Elliott Brinkmeyer, and Telecommunicator Beth Garrison represented the department during the event. The Polar Plunge, which encourages participants to brave cold waters for a charitable cause, has become a popular way to support athletes with intellectual disabilities. The Granite City Police Department's involvement underscores its commitment to community engagement and support for local initiatives. "Thank you to each of them for representing the Granite City Police Department," the department said in a statement acknowledging their participation. The event not only raises funds but also fosters a sense of camaraderie among participants and supporters.

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Attorney General Raoul, U.S. Department Of Justice Submit Final Proposed Fix To End Google's Search Monopoly

1 month 2 weeks ago
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), proposed a final package of remedies to end Google’s illegal monopoly over internet search engines and restore competition to the benefit of consumers. The revised proposal is similar to the robust package of remedies the coalition and DOJ offered in November . Raoul and coalition have worked closely with the DOJ to offer a comprehensive and legally sound proposal that promises to tear down barriers to entry, restore competition, and invite renewed innovation and consumer benefits in the monopolized markets. “Our remedies included in this revised proposal ensures Google cannot maintain its monopoly as an online search engine,” Raoul said. “Consumers deserve to have alternatives to Google’s platform and to have confidence their online searches are returning results that best meet their needs. I will continue

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Illinois Secretary of State's Mobile DMV Will Be Offered at R.P. Lumber Center in April

1 month 2 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville and the Illinois Secretary of State are teaming up once more to offer a Mobile DMV service in the city. It will take place at the R.P. Lumber Center on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The Mobile DMV is part of an effort by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to provide some of the basic Illinois Department of Motor Vehicle services, including REAL IDs, at easily accessible community sites. It’s an additional and alternative option to visiting a traditional DMV location. This service of the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office has been offered in Edwardsville several times since last year. “We are happy to host the Mobile DMV’s return to Edwardsville to offer an additional way to access Illinois Secretary of State services,” Mayor Art Risavy said. The Mobile DMV will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community rooms at the R.P. Lumber Center, 6289 Tiger Drive. No appointments are necessary. Services to

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Commemorating Start Of Autism Acceptance Month In April, Humanity Over Handcuffs Special Series To Launch

1 month 2 weeks ago
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Beginning in April, commemorating the start of Autism Acceptance Month, veteran Nashville based music producer and podcast host Tony Mantor will launch Humanity Over Handcuffs: The Silent Crisis, a special series on his chart topping Why Not Me the World podcast on autism. During his recent address to the U.S. Congress President Trump cited the rising prevalence of autism diagnoses which have risen from one in 10,000 children, to one in 36. More specifically, how Autistic people have been historically treated in the legal system will be Mantor’s specific focus on the special series launching in April. Autism and the legal system is undoubtedly a relative topic and societal challenge that has been recently reported on by NPR, Salon, The Marshall Report and ABA Journal. Mantor’s new series seeks to revitalize a conversation around the highly sensitive topic to bring about solutions. “The series purpose is to refrain from assigning blame,

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Attorney General Raoul Asks Court To Stop Mass Firings And Seeks Reinstatement Of Federal Probationary Employees

1 month 2 weeks ago
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, is seeking a temporary restraining order against numerous federal agencies, asking that a federal court order them to cease the illegal mass layoffs of federal probationary employees, and to reinstate those who have been fired. Today’s motion comes after the coalition filed a lawsuit against the agencies over the illegal firings last night. The motion , seeking immediate relief, is necessary because the mass firings by federal agencies are causing irreparable harm to Illinois and the other plaintiff states. The ongoing and sudden mass firings are straining state resources to support recently unemployed workers and to review and adjudicate claims of unemployment assistance. In the two months since the president’s inauguration, approximately 446 terminated federal employees in Illinois have applied to the state for unemployment benefits. That number is almost as many claims as were

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Mustache March 4PD to Host 8th Annual "Back the Blue" Fundraiser for Local Police Departments

1 month 2 weeks ago
ALTON - Mustache March 4PD will host their eighth annual “Back the Blue” event. On March 28, 2025, at Bluff City Grill in Alton, community members are invited to enjoy food, live music, raffles, a mustache contest and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30 and all proceeds benefit MM4PD’s mission to support local police departments. This year, they hope to raise $80,000. “Our whole goal is to build that community between police and citizens because they both have a view of each other that might not be exactly what is happening,” explained Wesley, one of the event’s organizers. “If we can be that bridge that shows that, hey, these officers are normal people, husbands, wives, just like anybody else, they have kids and problems and everything. And then show the police that there is a community that does care for them, and it’s not just the 1% they deal with on a daily basis, there’s a lot

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L&C Women's History Month Event With Netflix Star Stephanie Hoffman

1 month 2 weeks ago
GODFREY – In celebration of Women’s History Month, Lewis and Clark Community College’s Diversity Council will present “Melting Stereotypes: Women in Welding” with Netflix and YouTube star Stephanie Hoffman. The event takes place at 11 a.m., Monday, March 10, at the Reid Memorial Library on the Godfrey Campus. Stephanie Hoffman, a renowned welder, educator and advocate for women in skilled trades, has gained national recognition for her work in promoting diversity and inclusion in welding. As a former cast member of Netflix’s Metal Shop Masters and a prominent YouTube personality, she has been instrumental in challenging industry norms and empowering the next generation of tradeswomen. “Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across all industries, and we are honored to have Stephanie Hoffman join us to shed light on the importance of gender equity in the workforce,” L&C History Professor Kelly

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