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Plum Street Protest Group Calls To Save Greenspace

2 years 11 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - A group named Plum Creek Greenspace has been protesting the upcoming bid for development along Plum Street in Edwardsville. After launching petitions and protests, the group hopes to make their voices heard by the county - and whoever wins the bid. “We just want to be cautious with what kind of development we do there,” Jay Myers, a group spokesperson said. “I do enjoy the amenities of Edwardsville and would like to see that mix between greenspace and development maintained. I appreciate them both and I don’t want to see the assets that we have sold to the highest bidder.” Myers said she personally thought the space could be useful to connect greenspace like the SIUE Gardens to the already-developed shopping centers, while making the area more pedestrian-friendly in the process. “I can tell you - at least, from our experience crossing the road for the protest - it’s not easy. It’s not really built right now to be

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Few Days Left to Show "Love for Local" in Jerseyville

2 years 11 months ago
JERSEYVILLE - Michael Ward, coordinator for Explore Jerseyville Tourism, said Jerseyville’s “Show your Love for Local” campaign has proven widely successful thus far. The campaign wraps up in its final days as Valentine’s Day approaches, which means there are still a few days left for locals to get involved. “‘Show your Love for Local’ has been embraced by businesses from every sector,” Ward said. “We have strong representation from banks, retail, grocery, service, utilities, restaurants and more displaying the Love for Local heart and banners.” The goal behind “Show your Love for Local” is to encourage locals to visit some of Jerseyville’s small businesses for their Valentine’s Day shopping. The campaign, which lasts until the 14th, gives small businesses a “toolbox” of materials ranging from stickers, posters, signs and social media materials, along with special Valentines for

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Landmark order protecting press freedom from Minnesota police should be a model around the country

2 years 11 months ago
Credit: Ed Ou

For journalists covering the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s death in 2020, there was no more dangerous place to be than Minneapolis. According to our U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, in the span of one week, authorities in the city committed more assaults and more arrests of journalists than in the entirety of 2019.

On Wednesday, the Minnesota State Patrol was finally held accountable for their actions. The ACLU of Minnesota, which represented a class action group of journalists who were attacked and arrested during that time, has come to a historic agreement that was just approved by a judge. The settlement should be a model for other jurisdictions around the country who saw police flagrantly violate the rights of journalists in 2020.

In addition to more than $800,000 in financial compensation for the journalists involved, law enforcement working with MSP and the MSP — under court order — will now be explicitly prohibited from:

  • Arresting, threatening to arrest, and/or using physical force or chemical agents against journalists.
  • Ordering journalists to stop photographing, recording or observing a protest.
  • Making journalists disperse.
  • Seizing or intentionally damaging equipment such as photo, audio or video gear.

One of the plaintiffs, Ed Ou, our friend and award-winning photojournalist who was seriously injured by state troopers, said on Twitter after the decision was announced:

“For me, this lawsuit and settlement is bittersweet - because it is… sad that we even needed to do this in the first place. We should have already been protected by the First Amendment, and able to operate without fear of being attacked by security forces for our work. But this is a start, and sends a signal to security forces that they cannot act with impunity, and there are consequences for their actions.

I am grateful to everyone who supported us, and proud to stand with journalists who continue to bear witness and bring truth to light.”

As we have cataloged in the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, more than 140 journalists were arrested around the country in 2020, a nearly 1500% increase on the year prior. More than 600 were assaulted in the same year. In the vast majority of those cases, the perpetrator was law enforcement.

While the issue of press freedom has been elevated to a national level over the past few years, this case is a reminder that it is state and local jurisdictions that have the most power to protect or curtail journalists’ rights. If police departments are not held accountable for arresting reporters exercising their First Amendment rights, or they are not punished for assaulting or shooting projectiles at reporters while they do their jobs, then these actions will only continue.

Tracker senior reporter Stephanie Sugars recently documented that there are currently dozens of lawsuits in progress around the country, brought by journalists who were arrested or assaulted by police officers while covering Black Lives Matters protests in 2020 and 2021.

We hope this settlement will become a model around the country for other journalists seeking accountability, and judges in those cases should take note.

Trevor Timm

Illinois-American Water Project Will Keep Alby Street Area Closed To At Least May, Weather Dependent

2 years 11 months ago
ALTON - Illinois-American Water continues its impressive sewer system work at Alby and Sixth Street in Alton. The massive Alton project separates the wastewater system from stormwater systems. Several miles of sanitary sewer will be installed in different areas of Alton through the project. The sewer/stormwater systems changes should enhance water flow and will be very noticeable during rainstorms when finished. Illinois-American Water spokesperson Karen L Cotton said Alby Street is closed from Sixth Street toward Seventh Street, with future closures north and east of Alby/Seventh Street. "Realistically, Alby Street in Alton will be closed to thru traffic until May, weather dependent," explained Cotton. "Sewer work will progress north up to 12th Street. 12th Street is the furthest north we will be working along Alby Street." Illinois-American Water has been very thorough in updating the project in the media and Cotton said they will continue to do that in the future.

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