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SPRINGFIELD - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced a new $4 million grant program for the development of tourism, education, preservation, and promotion of the 100th Anniversary of Route 66. With more than 300 miles of Route 66 in Illinois from its starting point in Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge, Route 66’s economic and historical impact is woven into the fabric of communities across the state. This grant opportunity – which is open to Illinois’ Certified Conventions and Visitors Bureaus - will help develop or enhance sites along Route 66, while prioritizing projects focused on future transportation and tourism trends such as electric vehicles. “Route 66 is nearly 100 years old and as we prepare to celebrate its historic centennial, I can’t think of a better way to honor its cultural contribution than preserving and promoting it for generations to come,” said Governor JB

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ST. LOUIS--As officials continue to urge people to stay off the roads Thursday with a winter storm warning still in effect until noon, malls in the St. Louis area announced they will be closed for the day. CBL Properties said West County Center, Mid-Rivers Mall, South County Center and St. Clair Square would be closed [...]

In July 2020, Gov. Mike Parson signed into law a potentially sweeping change for coroners across the state of Missouri, many of whom lack medical or forensic training. The law, …

Our Love Story: The Couple: Chris and Kristin McCutchen from Wood River Date Met/Started Dating: March 18, 2012 Briefly Describe First Date: We worked together and went to Denny's one night after work with a friend. Date Married: September 12, 2020 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We love taking drives up the river road or to parks. Enjoying what's in our own backyard. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Communication is everything! You have to support your partner; encourage them. A relationship is not 50/50. It's 100/100! You have to give it your all.

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State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich): “In a not-so-subtle campaign ploy, Governor Pritzker is dangling property tax, gas tax and grocery tax relief for working families. While it is nice to see the Governor finally admit that lower taxes benefit working people, the truth is his actions are disingenuous. The money for his one-time tax relief benefits comes from federal funds propping up the Illinois budget despite his protests to the contrary. What is needed is permanent, structural reforms to get our budget under control. The financial mess facing our state is a direct result of the gamesmanship we see all too often. Instead of addressing the long-term financial health of our state, we use one-time sources of revenues to play games and do nothing to improve the financial health of the state. Once again, the Governor is proposing a budget with record breaking spending. If the Governor really wanted to help working families in Illinois, he would find ways to

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ST. LOUIS - Love it or hate it, winter storm 2022 has hit St. Louis. A Twitter account called Chew In The Lou has been documenting the snowfall by posting photos of a beloved St. Louis treat, toasted ravioli, stacked on top of each other in order to measure the snow accumulation. Chew In The [...]

The director of Missouri’s transportation department is facing calls for his ouster from Republican lawmakers who contend he’s broken trust with the public with a plan to give worker pay raises just months after a new state gas tax took effect. In December, the Highways and Transportation Commission sued Acting Commissioner of Administration Ken Zellers […]

The post Missouri transportation chief under fire for bucking lawmakers on pay raise plan appeared first on Missouri Independent.

A vote will decide if the mayor can appoint an interim personnel director from outside the personnel department ranks.

GODFREY - The Godfrey Board of Trustees approved permission to apply for a Park Enhancement Grant that would be used to install a new fence around the new splash pad and also be used with work to connect the first phase of a bike trail that will connect Glazebrook Park with LaVista Park through country settings. Godfrey has utilized the Park Enhancement Grants before and this year will ask for around $71,000, Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick said. In other matters, McCormick said the village board approved a rate hike for pavilion rentals from $5 to $10 each. The Park Enhancement Grants grants normally range from $15,000 to $165,200 and are used for projects such as a dog park, playground equipment, pavilions, a walking/bike trail, and outdoor lighting. The funding will be combined with city, village, township, and park district funds to finance the projects.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Karen and Steve Masiero from Cottage Hills Date Met/Started Dating: June 1, 1976 Briefly Describe First Date: It was at a Y program. Date Married: January 3, 1977 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Riding motorcycles and going places. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Never go to bed angry. Tomorrow isn't promised.

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WEST FRANKFORT – When people think of ways to cope through difficult life events it usually looks like the more common methods of talking to a trusted friend or family member, exercising, deep breathing, and sometimes seeking out therapy. One of the coping skills that people tend to overlook is using art. Art therapy is another unique approach to channeling your inner feelings, emotions, stress and trauma. Art therapy is a unique approach to channeling inner feelings, emotions, stress and trauma through mediums such as painting, sculpting, poetry, creative writing, music and photography. The use of art as a form of therapy can help to build self-awareness and coping skills, increases self-esteem and confidence, improves cognitive and motor function, reduces stress and strengthens communication and social skills. Centerstone’s Peer Support Services offers various creative activities, including participation in the Healing Arts Project, Inc., (HAPI), a not-for-profit organization

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Another 3 to 5 inches of snow was expected to fall before Thursday afternoon, meteorologists said.

SPRINGFIELD - Due to the hazardous road conditions caused by the ongoing winter storm, Secretary of State office buildings in Springfield, as well as many Driver Services facilities around the state, will be closed Thursday, Feb. 3. All Chicagoland metro Driver Services facilities will be open but may have to suspend road tests due to the hazardous conditions. White advises the public to visit ilsos.gov to check the status of Driver Services facilities in their area before traveling to a local facility. White urges motorists to drive safely and, if weather conditions are challenging, to consider delaying their visit to a facility. White continues to encourage people to conduct business online at ilsos.gov. In addition to driver’s license and ID card renewals for those who qualify, online services include obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, ordering a driver record and purchasing license plate stickers. As a reminder, White has extended all driver’s

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The attack was in response to Hawley questioning whether the U.S should continue to support Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO.

EDWARDSVILLE – Each semester, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) program recognizes outstanding faculty mentors and student researchers through four awards. The URCA program encourages, supports and enables undergraduate students of all disciplines to participate in research and creative activities under faculty mentorship. These experiences allow undergraduate students opportunities to engage in scholarship, interact with faculty, and fully connect in the educational process of discovering and creating. The fall 2021 Vaughn Vandegrift URCA Research Mentor of the Semester Award was presented to Barbara McCracken, PhD, assistant professor at the SIU School of Dental Medicine. The URCA Creative Activities Mentor of the Semester Award was presented to Johanna Schmitz, PhD, professor of theater history and dramatic literature in the College of Arts and Sciences. Award winners were nominated by URCA students. “All

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‘This is not the normal Republican Party. So right now, it’s hard to gauge where things will go.’