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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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GOP Senators Trade Constitutional Authority For Elon’s Phone Number

1 month 2 weeks ago
Republican Senators are so aware that Elon Musk is literally running the government now that they’re getting his personal cell phone number to beg him to reverse his mistakes. This would be concerning enough on its own — but it’s especially alarming given that just weeks ago, the DOJ explicitly claimed in court that Musk […]
Mike Masnick

Attorney General Raoul Obtains Guilty Plea, Prison Sentence For Fayette County Man Who Possessed Child Sexual Abuse Material

1 month 2 weeks ago
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that a Fayette County man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office prosecuted Izacc A. Logue, 41, of St. Elmo, Illinois, who was sentenced by Fayette County Circuit Court Judge Chad Miller after pleading guilty to five counts of possession of child pornography and one count of unlawful possession of cannabis over 5,000 grams. “Individuals who prey upon and exploit children must be held accountable for the trauma they have inflected upon survivors and their families.” Raoul said. “My office’s partnerships with law enforcement agencies are helping us investigate and obtain

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Durbin, Sorensen, Grassley, Duckworth, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Sustain Workload At Rock Island Arsenal

1 month 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), introduced bipartisan legislation to boost workload at U.S. Army arsenals, including Rock Island Arsenal. The Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act would incentivize private industry to partner with arsenals by giving preference to public-private partnerships in Army contracting. As no workload requirement currently exists for Army arsenals, the legislation would provide arsenals with a more predictable, sustained workload throughout the year and allow them to keep costs low while remaining competitive with private industry in the manufacturing or procurement of defense products. The bill would have a direct impact on Rock Island Arsenal, helping the arsenal to maintain existing union jobs, attract new projects and workers, and keep costs down. “Outfitted to manufacture

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Illinois Teacher Shortage Eases as Recruitment Efforts Show Results

1 month 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – New results from two statewide surveys show Illinois’ educator shortage crisis is easing. The Illinois State Board of Education attributes the progress to comprehensive statewide efforts to address teacher shortages, which include the largest-ever state investment in addressing teacher vacancies. The state’s Teacher Vacancy Grants provided $45 million per year in FY 2024 and FY 2025 to the 170 districts with the greatest numbers of unfilled teaching positions. Grantee districts have utilized the funds to implement evidence-based strategies to address local challenges to teacher recruitment and retention. Early results have shown improved recruitment and retention in the state's most understaffed school districts, including the hiring of nearly 5,400 new teachers, the retention of approximately 11,000 additional educators, and support for approximately 1,500 non-certified staff to pursue licensure and 450 certified staff to pursue further endorsements.

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Letter To The Editor: Retired Alton Police Chief Praises Carolyn MacAfee's Dedication To City

1 month 2 weeks ago
Letter To The Editor: I strongly recommend that you vote for Carolyn MacAfee for 2nd Ward Alderwoman. She has done an excellent job as Alderwoman and as many know, she has excelled in focusing on the many details of the city, including working tenaciously to help the city maintain our parks, so that they are inviting to our citizens and the tens of thousands of visitors, Alton has each year. She is well respected in our community and has become the city of Alton, Mayor Pro-Tem. Ms. MacAfee also serves on the Park Board, has been a 35-year member of "Pride" and serves as co-chair of Alton's "Pride" awards. She was a devoted volunteer with the past Caravan resale sale shop which benefited the Oasis Women's center. Ms. MacAfee was the past chairman of the city beautification and clean city commission. This is a woman who you frequently see every day, walking in her ward and other areas of the city, picking up litter and communicating with residents. She is very dedicated and focused

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Saint Louis University Offers Scholarship Opportunity to Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri's ADVANCE HER© Leadership Movement Program

1 month 2 weeks ago
ST. LOUIS – The Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) are proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Saint Louis University (SLU) to provide a new scholarship opportunity for Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri who wish to pursue higher education as part of the ADVANCE HER© Leadership Movement Program. Starting in fall 2026, the scholarship program will provide opportunities for GSEM Girl Scout high school graduates who enroll at SLU to receive a minimum of a $30,000 renewable scholarship. This is GSEM’s fifth collegial partnership and largest scholarship opportunity to date available through the Girl Scouts’ newly implemented ADVANCE HER© Leadership Movement Program to promote academic and professional development to succeed in college and beyond. To be eligible for the GSEM-SLU renewable scholarship award, students must: Meet SLU’s admission standards Maintain full-time student status (completion of at least 24 credit hours annually) Maintai

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Health Update

1 month 2 weeks ago
With a heavy heart, I have to tell you that after a long battle with cancer my husband Kevin Drum passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025. No public memorial services are planned. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity or political cause of your choice. A Facebook page, 'In Memory of Kevin ...continue reading "Health Update"
Kevin Drum

Anderson Hospital Unveils Da Vinci 5 Robotic Surgery System

1 month 2 weeks ago
MARYVILLE - Dan Rojek, Director of Surgical Services, is excited to announce the addition of the Da Vinci 5 robotic surgery system to its cutting-edge surgical technology lineup. The Da Vinci 5 is the most powerful and fully integrated system to date, designed to deliver better patient outcomes while lowering the cost of care. Anderson Hospital launched the new system last week with general surgeon, Dr. David Chung, having the honors of being the first surgery case. With the third busiest single robot surgery program in Illinois, Anderson Hospital has been at the forefront of minimally invasive procedures, offering advanced care to the communities we serve since September 2010. The addition of the Da Vinci 5 expands the capabilities of our robotic surgery program, further enhancing our robotic volumes. “This investment in state-of-the-art technology reaffirms our commitment to providing the highest level of care,” said Rojek. “The Da Vinci 5 will allow us to continu

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Meet Alton School Board Candidates at Forum Tonight, March 10, 2025

1 month 2 weeks ago
ALTON - Community members have the chance to meet the candidates for the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education. The Alton School Board Candidates Forum will be held tonight, March 10, 2025, at the YWCA in Alton. Starting at 7 p.m., the forum will introduce each candidate and allow them to answer questions ahead of the consolidated election on April 1, 2025. The forum is hosted by the YWCA and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). “School board elections play a crucial role in shaping policies that affect students, teachers, and families,” YWCA and NCNW said in a statement. “This forum gives voters the opportunity to engage with candidates, ask questions, and make informed decisions at the ballot box.” There are four ACUSD11 Board of Education seats up for grabs. Current Board members Christina Milien, Tiana Gipson and Barry Macias are defending their seats. Jack Cox, Aline Russell and Jason Harrison are the challengers. Th

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American Red Cross Teams With St. Louis Metro Police and Cardinals To Host Blood Drive

1 month 2 weeks ago
ST. LOUIS – The American Red Cross is partnering with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Louis Cardinals on a blood drive in honor of local area first responders on Thursday, March 13, from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Busch Stadium, Cunningham Corner, 700 Clark St., in St. Louis (Gate 4). In 2022, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) teamed up with the Red Cross to host a blood drive in honor of SLMPD officers Colin Ledbetter and Nathan Spiess, who were injured in the line of duty. Both were shot while on duty and needed blood transfusions due to their injuries, with Officer Ledbetter needing 39 units of whole blood to save his life. Ledbetter and Spies both recovered. Since the incident, Ledbetter has become a regular blood donor as his way to give back to the community. “I saw firsthand how blood donation can save lives,” said Ledbetter. “39 people I don’t know donated blood used to save me. Blood saves lives. It save

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