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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced federal resources through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to help Madison County Mass Transit District (MTCD) replace five heavy-duty transit buses in its fleet. By helping replace older buses with new, more environmentally-friendly and ADA-accessible vehicles, Illinoisans who depend on MTCD will be able to get to their destinations more safely, efficiently and reliably. This DOT support comes through the Federal Transit Administration’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. “Replacing older MCTD buses with newer vehicles will help create a cleaner and more ADA-accessible future for Illinoisans in Madison County,” Duckworth said. “One of my top priorities in the Senate is to help modernize Illinois transportation systems so I’m proud to join Senator Durbin in announcing resources that will help more Illinoisans get where they need

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement regarding the release of crude oil from a pipeline near Edwardsville. “On March 11 the National Response Center and Illinois Emergency Management Agency received reports regarding the release of crude oil from a pipeline, which impacted Cahokia Creek in Edwardsville. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has since referred an enforcement action against Marathon Pipe Line LLC (Marathon) to my office, which is under review. “I am committed to protecting the health and safety of residents, as well as the environment, and will work with the IEPA to ensure that Marathon remediates the release.”

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COLLINSVILLE – Ameren Illinois is alerting its customers that financial assistance is available for income-qualified families and individuals who need help paying their energy bills. LIHEAP Funding – Approximately $295 million is available through the state-administered Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the form of direct grants to individual customers. Customers whose incomes are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level or 60% of the state's median income are now eligible for assistance. Eligibility is based on an applicant's past 30 days of household income. Required documentation includes, but is not limited to: proof of income and social security numbers for all household members. Customers can enroll through May 31. Information on LIHEAP eligibility guidelines and application information is available at HelpIllinoisFamilies.com. 10% down payment – Eligible Ameren Illinois customers with past due balances can establish a repayment plan

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SEATTLE – On March 9, 2020, Pearl Jam was the first major artist to pull the plug and postpone their Spring 2020 tour dates due to COVID-19 concerns. A few weeks later, the band’s new album Gigaton was released to critical acclaim but empty venues. Nearly two years later, Pearl Jam can finally hit the road with their 2020 North American tour dates officially rescheduled for May and September 2022, including a stop at St. Louis’ Enterprise Center Sept. 18. The updated routing includes four additional concert dates in Fresno, Sacramento, Las Vegas, and Camden. Josh Klinghoffer’s solo project, Pluralone , will open for Pearl Jam on this tour. Klinghoffer will also join Pearl Jam as a touring member on these dates. A special ticket pre-sale for all tour dates begins today for current eligible Pearl Jam Ten Club members (active as of Sunday, March 13). There will be no general public sale. All public tickets will be available through Ticketmaster

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Nursing students from Lewis and Clark Community College’s East St. Louis Higher Education Center toured the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Nursing March 11 as part of the Bridge to BSN program. Students Loreal Perkins, Jordyn Akins and Gakia Ross are among those who will transfer to UMSL this fall, where they will pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. For more information on the East St. Louis Higher Education Center, call Assistant Director of Academic Affairs LaVeasey Carter at (618) 468-4011 or jolcarter@lc.edu .

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ST. LOUIS - The City of St. Louis, joined by Metro Transit, has announced the expansion of the Gateway Go Youth Transit Program, funded through $250,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. The expanded program will provide thousands of city youth free public transportation through MetroLink and MetroBus through the rest of 2022. “An investment in our youth is an investment in our future,” said Community Development Agency Director Justin Jackson. “Through the American Rescue Plan, St. Louis is making it easier for youth to use public transit while saving money for families in the long run.” The Gateway Go Youth Transit Program offers 3,000 City residents ages 13 - 25 the opportunity to receive free public transit through MetroLink and MetroBus through the rest of the year, connecting youth to school, work, and other important opportunities. "This is an incredible opportunity for young people in the City of St. Louis to have free, convenient access

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced federal support through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help three Illinois school districts replace old diesel school buses with new, cleaner emission buses certified by the EPA. The following Illinois school districts will receive rebates through the EPA, totaling $160,000: Greenfield Community Unit School District 10 is expected to receive $20,000 Staunton Community Unit School District 6 is expected to receive $40,000 Peoria Public Schools District 150 is expected to receive $100,000 By assisting with the replacement of older school buses, these rebates will help Illinois communities enjoy cleaner air and more environmentally-friendly transportation to and from school for children in Greenfield, Staunton, and Peoria, Illinois. “Increasing the amount of cleaner emission transit strengthens Illinois–-and protects the health of our children—by

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ALTON - SSP Wellness Center will be hosting its first "Walk for Parkinson's" during Parkinson's Awareness Month, April 10th - 16th. This event is meant to raise awareness about Parkinson's Disease, PD, and to raise awareness about the programs that we offer at SSP to help those living with PD. Donations and funds raised will help to support the Rock Steady Boxing Program. SSP Wellness Center is an affiliate of Rock Steady Boxing Inc., an international program, which empowers people with PD to fight back! Rock Steady Boxing is a non-contact boxing-inspired fitness class for people with PD and it has been shown to slow the progression of the disease, improve quality of life, and gives its members hope. To join this walking event or donate towards this cause online, visit our donation page at https://app.99pledges.com/fund/SSPWalkForParkinsons . The event is open to the public. The fee to enter is $20 and it will take place on our indoor walking track any time during April 10th-16th.

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s 17 th Annual Student Art Exhibition will return to the Hatheway Cultural Center Gallery April 8-25. The juried exhibit will begin with an opening reception, scheduled from 4-6 p.m., Friday, April 8, during which time prizes will be awarded for 1 st Place, 2 nd Place, 3 rd Place, and three Honorable Mention awards. Art Program Coordinator Angela Hung is looking forward to this year’s show. “Our students are excited that the annual Student Art Exhibition will be able to be held on campus in the Hatheway Gallery this year,” Hung said. “The exhibit represents the culmination of much hard work by our students over the course of an academic year.” The exhibit typically features more than 100 submissions, many of which will be available to purchase. The event is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays throughout the exhibition.

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ALTON – Alton Memorial Hospital’s White Cross Auxiliary will have a Shoe Roads Productions shoe sale in the hospital’s Café A/B meeting rooms from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 7, and from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, April 8. Masks are required and six-foot physical distancing should be observed, with a maximum of 15 people in the room at one time. The Café A/B meeting rooms are located at the back of the AMH cafeteria, which is in the hospital’s Beeby Wing across from the gift shop. Proceeds from the sale benefit the White Cross Auxiliary. Pre-orders are being accepted now at www.shoeroads.com and can be picked up at the sale. For more information, call 314-640-0902.

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PONTOON BEACH - Fuel prices are on the rise - the highest since 2008 - prompting thousands of area residents to seek alternatives to driving alone. With Express service to Downtown St. Louis, high-frequency bus service throughout Madison County, and carpool and vanpool options through RideFinders, Madison County Transit (MCT) offers commuters a number of affordable and efficient transportation options that will save residents hundreds of dollars each month. A recent AAA survey found that 59% of American commuters “said they would make changes to their driving habits or lifestyle if the cost of gas rose to $4 per gallon. If gas were to reach $5.00, which it has in the western part of the country, three-quarters said they would need to adjust their lifestyle to offset the spike at the pump.” With the state average now at $4.57 per gallon, more commuters are seeking relief and finding that transit and ridesharing provide an ideal solution. Every weekday, MCT Express buse

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BELLEVILLE – Illinois American Water is dropping helpful tips to customers during the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week. Fix a Leak Week will be observed this week, March 14-22. The national campaign held by the EPA raises awareness about leaks and other water issues that contribute to water waste within homes and businesses. “For Illinois American Water, this week is a way to encourage our customers to use water wisely. We focus on conservation and reducing water waste every day but want our customers to see conservation can not only save money, but also help preserve water, a precious resource,” said Beth Matthews, vice president of operations for Illinois American Water. According to the EPA, the average residence in the U.S. loses 10,000 gallons of water per year thanks to seemingly minor leaks. With more than 110 million households in the U.S., this equates to more than one trillion gallons of water lost every year due to leaks

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ALTON - The Alton Community Service League, a nonprofit group focused on volunteerism, is proud to announce the Volunteer of the Month for November, December, and January. To receive this honor, the ACSL member must have volunteered the most hours during that month than any other member. Pictured in the middle is Janet Hansen, Placement Chairman, presenting to Marge Ferguson, December Volunteer of the Month, and Pat Cooper, January Volunteer of the Month. Not pictured is Diane Foster who received the distinction as being the Volunteer of the Month in November. The ACSL is having its final fundraising by selling Geraniums from the Market Basket. Prices: 5.5 inch Red, Pink, and Salmon Geraniums are 7$ each, and 10 inch Pink, Red, and Salmon Geraniums will be $30 each. They can be ordered from any ACSL member or by calling 618-971-9191. Members wish to thank the Riverbend Community for supporting the fundraisers through the years. Anyone who would like to donate to the ACSL may do so

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ALTON – Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will host a free, virtual Savvy Caregiver training to be held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – noon from April 6 – May 11. The training will share valuable information and tools for people caring for individuals 60 years old or older, including those experiencing dementia or memory loss. The Savvy Caregiver provides instruction in caregiver self-care, decision making, and navigating family issues that may come up while being a caregiver. The training also addresses the need to keep the care receiver involved in daily tasks and activities to keep them active and content throughout the day. “Savvy Caregiver affords many the opportunity to hear from other caregivers and know that they are not alone in this journey of caregiving,” said Laura Kunz, Centerstone Senior Services Clinician. The training was created using a curriculum developed by the University of Minnesota and is funded by AgeSmart

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GLEN CARBON – March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and Dr. Julie Steinhauer, OD, FCOVD, says a vision therapy program can, in most cases, help individuals regain normal functionality of their vision following a traumatic brain injury. According to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIA), more than 5.3 million in the U.S. are living with a permanent brain injury disability. Many who suffer a brain injury are misdiagnosed or misunderstood. Dr. Steinhauer, the owner of Vision For Life and Success, and one of a select group of functional vision doctors in the nation, said brain injuries are classified differently as to their origin, either as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or an acquired brain injury. Those who suffer from a TBI experience an alteration in brain function caused by an external force or trauma. Non-traumatic or acquired brain injuries can result from a stroke, tumor, surgery, or infectious disease. A TBI can occur from a concussion stemming from a blow t

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EDWARDSVILLE – Freshman forward Ellah Anslem wasted no time getting on the score sheet for Marquette. In her first high school match, she scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Springfield High School in the season-opener. It only took her seven minutes to find the back of the net to take the early 1-0 lead. Springfield eventually tied it back up in the 29 th minute, but it didn’t slow her down. In the 39 th minute, she scored the eventual game-winning goal to make it 2-1 lead. No one scored in the second half and that’s how the game would end, with her two goals being the difference. “I was so nervous, but I was lucky to have my teammates beside me,” Anslem said after the win. For Anselm's opening performance, she is one of the Tucker Automotive and Repair Female Athletes of the Month for Marquette Catholic High School. Even though she netted both goals she stayed very humble to her team. “They were good goals. My teammates gave me good assists

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY: On Thursday, March 10, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued “At Large” warrants on suspect Johnny Lewis, 23 years of age, of the 800 block of Canaan Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, 63147, for Resisting Arrest by Fleeing – Creating a Substantial Risk of Serious Injury/Death. Lewis was arrested by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on Friday, March 11, 2022. Once Lewis is extradited to St. Louis County, he will be held on a $50,000 cash only, no 10 percent, bond. The probable cause statement for Lewis reads: Police received a call for a suspicious vehicle and recognized the vehicle from a wanted poster from a homicide that occurred earlier that morning. Police attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver fled in a dangerous manner by operating the vehicle at speeds in excess of 100 mph and driving into oncoming traffic. Lewis was the fourth suspect wanted in relation to the incident below. "We are currently

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Photos from this article, (or gallery), may be purchased at https://www.randymanning. com/Alton-St-Pats-Pub-Crawl ALTON - The O’Faoláin Academy Irish dancers posted another memorable performance at Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl in Downtown Alton. The O’Faoláin Academy offers Irish Dance lessons for children and adults interested in competitive or recreational Irish Dance. Technique, self-esteem, physical fitness, and work ethics are developed in a nurturing, yet structured environment. The internationally known Ofalolin Dancers started in 2007 and has a strong presence in St. Louis, Metro East, Illinois, Nashville, Tenn., Huntsville, Ala., and more. The dancers started the day with participation in the Downtown St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parade, then ventured over to Alton for a late afternoon performance. Jennifer Bartley, the owner of the O’Faolin Academy of Irish Dance, said she and the other dancers were

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EDWARDSVILLE - Marathon Pipeline has some updates on the oil spill situation near Edwardsville both from this morning and Sunday night. Monday morning the media relations team had these details of the operation which is underway: “Crews are continuing their work removing crude oil from the Cahokia diversion channel today. Boom remains in place at several locations along the channel to contain the crude. Boats are now being deployed on the channel to assist in the retrieval of oil from the water. “As of Monday, March 14, at 10 a.m. Central Time, approximately 5,900 barrels of water and oil mixture has been recovered from the Cahokia diversion channel. Approximately 150 cubic yards of oily soil has been removed for proper disposal. “Repair on the line is underway. “There have been reports of odors near areas affected by the release, and air monitoring resources continue to be deployed in the area as a precaution. Air monitoring has detected no hazardous

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MARYVILLE - Linda Andreas, Republican Candidate has cleared the first hurdle in her run for Madison County Clerk in filing the election packet on Monday. Andreas, with support from conservative groups, friends, and neighbors and face-to-face door knocking, met and exceeded the requirement to be placed on the primary ballot. Andreas announced her candidacy in December. She is passionate about civic responsibility and duty, as well as our rights and liberties, and hopes that she will set an example of citizen involvement for all levels of city and county government. Andreas says she is not politician but seeks to serve the public by protecting the policies and procedures in place that protect our vote. Andreas plans to use her diverse background in education, business administration, management, and leadership to bring more transparency and accessibility making information easier to access both in person and online. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Goldfarb and Bachelor’

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