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JERSEY - Jovee Hileman, graduating 2025 senior from Jersey Community High School, concluded her school year in May by earning the highest band awards for a senior. The John Phillip Sousa Award recognizes the top student in the band program and the Louis Armstrong Award honors the top student in the Jazz program. Jovee began playing the trumpet in 5th grade at Jersey Community Middle School and switched to the French horn in the 6th grade when JCMS Band Director Waylon Schroeder encouraged her and some of Jovee's classmates to audition for the Alton Youth Symphony. “My participation in the Alton Youth Symphony was extremely beneficial to my success in high school. The experience made me more familiar with different styles of conducting and I was able to read and play more advanced music.” says Jovee. In high school, the music program gave Jovee a tight network of friends and her dedication and hard work paid off. Jovee will be attending Maryville University this fall to

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TROY – The final First Fridays event of the season is set for Friday, September 5, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. in Downtown Troy. Guests can enjoy an evening filled with live music, local eats, refreshing drinks, and community shopping as Market & Main transforms into a lively destination for all ages. This month’s featured entertainment is The Dude Abides Duo, bringing a fun mix of music that will keep the crowd entertained throughout the evening. Attendees will find plenty of delicious dining options with Spud Shack Food Truck, Takozz, Slabs on the Curb, Franko’s Hot Dogs & Bratz, Polar Paradise, Zanny Popz Frozen Treats, and Washington Kettle Corn all serving up crowd favorites. The fun doesn’t stop there—local establishments will also be on hand with drink specials, including The Wine Diva Pop Up Bar, The Balanced Bee, Time Out Bar & Grill, The Happy Elephant, Kokomo Joe’s, and VFW Post 976. Guests are encouraged to explore the Market

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SUMMERFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a long-term detour on Highway 50 in St. Clair and Clinton counties for bridge repairs. The closure affects Highway 50 in both directions from approximately 2.4 miles east of Lebanon, near Summerfield in St. Clair County, to Illinois 160 in Clinton County. The detour is needed to complete necessary bridge repairs over Summerfield Road and is expected to remain in place through fall 2026. Detour routes: Eastbound Highway 50 traffic will be detoured onto Old Highway 50 at the split with Highway 50. Traffic will continue east along Old Highway 50 to Illinois 160, then north on Illinois 160 to rejoin Highway 50. Westbound Highway 50 traffic will be detoured at Illinois 160, heading south to the intersection with Old Highway 50, then west on Old Highway 50 to return to Highway 50. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County police are investigating a homicide that occurred Sunday afternoon in the 200 block of Carrington Lane. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 4:28 p.m. Aug. 17, 2025, to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they found an adult male suffering from life-threatening stab wounds. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries. The deceased has been identified as 39-year-old Derrick Merit, a resident of the 200 block of Carrington Lane in St. Louis. A 15-year-old suspect was taken into custody and is being held by St. Louis County Family Court on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action. The St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is leading the ongoing investigation.

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ALTON - Rosetta Brown announced her candidacy for Illinois State Representative in District 111, signaling her intention to represent the district at the state level. The announcement was made recently on her newly created Facebook page, "Rosetta 'Rosie' Brown candidate for Illinois State Representative." Brown is presently an Alton Alderwoman for Ward 4. Brown said her mission is to bring a unified approach to the district, which includes cities such as Alton, East Alton, Godfrey, Bethalto, and Wood River, and more. “My experience that I have gained from being an alderwoman has given me the passion to continue to listen to the people, their needs, and respond to their needs,” Brown said. She emphasized her goal to ensure fairness across the cities in District 111, noting that while some cities are flourishing, others are not. “I want to make it fair across the board, fighting for all," she said. Her campaign platform will focus on economic revitalization

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GODFREY - As the school year starts, a local pediatric nurse practitioner shares her tips on how to make the back-to-school season seamless for you and your kiddo. Lori Balchik, APRN, works in Godfrey at OSF Medical Group. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , she spoke about how to handle bullying, allergies and other concerns as kids return to school, and she reminded parents that providers like her are in your corner. “You’re not parenting alone. Everybody is doing this as a community, and we’re all together,” Balchik said. “Take it in stride. All of us providers are there for you.” Balchik encouraged caregivers to schedule their kids’ well exams and sports physicals several weeks in advance. She suggested talking to your kids about appropriate touch and inappropriate touch and describing what will happen at a physical in order to minimize anxiety. She also noted that several immunizations

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EDWARDSVILLE - Here are the next round of featured artists for the upcoming Edwardsville Arts Fair at Edwardsville City Park on Sept. 26-28, 2025. Today, the featured artists are Greg Kluempers, Yuliya and Ari Wolf and Brian Viamontes. Artist #1: Greg Kluempers Medium: Photography Artist Statement: "My work explores the relationship of light, textures, and forms captured during my journeys of discovery. I have no qualms with adding or deleting features to complete the story of the photograph." - Kluempers said. Website Artist #2: Yuliya & Ari Wolf – Wolf Leathers Medium: Textiles Artist Statement: "My work stems from a passion for leather and color. Oil-tanned leather gets tanned in batches called 'mills.' In a mill, a handful of hides will get rejected for not meeting required specifications from the buyer. My process starts with these rejected hides. Thousands of hides gather, from which colorful hides from different mills are pulled specifically

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JERSEYVILLE – When the Illinois Treasurer’s Office announced the winners of the 2025 statewide “Cream of the Crop” photo contest , JCHS Sophomore Hope Lybarger didn’t expect to see her name on the list. After securing third place in the 11-14 age bracket and a $250 scholarship, she’s encouraging others to take a chance like she did. “I was incredibly surprised,” Lybarger said. “I didn't think my picture would win at all, so when I learned that I placed third, I was very shocked.” Lybarger’s winning entry, titled “Evening Snack,” depicts her grandparents’ 14-year-old Belgian Draft horse named Charlotte snacking on some hay. Lybarger said she was simply looking for something on the farm that would capture people’s attention – and Charlotte clearly got the attention of the contest judges. Photography is a growing area of interest for Lybarger, who has been practicing her craft since last

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GRANITE CITY – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Amy Elik (111th-Alton) to modernize and improve the operations of the America’s Central Port District has been signed into law. House Bill 2139 , introduced at the request of the Port District, delivers greater flexibility, accountability, and efficiency to one of Illinois’ most critical economic hubs. The bill updates decades-old provisions in the America’s Central Port District Act, aligning the law with modern financial and operational practices. “This legislation is a win for both taxpayers and the region’s economic future,” said Sen. Harriss. “It strengthens fiscal safeguards, improves efficiency, and allows the Port to better meet today’s infrastructure and commerce needs.” “This is about keeping our Port District competitive while ensuring transparency and responsibility,” said Rep. Elik. “These

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SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker, on Friday, August 15, signed legislation that the state’s clean water advocates are hailing as a significant step forward in tackling the growing threat of toxic water pollution. Sponsored by Senator Julie Morrison and Representative Abdelnasser Rashid, HB2516 phases out the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka "forever chemicals," in the manufacturing of children's products, cosmetics, intimate apparel such as sleepwear or underwear, menstrual products, and dental floss by 2032. PFAS have emerged as a serious environmental and public health threat due to their persistence and widespread contamination. These manufactured chemicals, widely utilized in consumer and industrial products since World War II, are now linked to alarming levels of contamination in drinking water supplies and health risks ranging from cancers to liver toxicity to reduced fertility. Used in a range of everyday products like water-repellant apparel,

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WASHINGTON — American lawmakers are using a trip to South Korea and Japan to explore how the United States can tap those allies’ shipbuilding expertise and capacity to help boost its own capabilities , which are dwarfed by those of China. Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Andy Kim, D-N.J., who are scheduled to land in Seoul on Sunday before traveling to Japan, plan to meet top shipbuilders from the world’s second- and third-largest shipbuilding countries. The senators want to examine the possibilities of forming joint ventures to construct and repair noncombatant vessels for the U.S. Navy in the Indo-Pacific and bring investments to American shipyards. “We already have fewer capacity now than we did during Operation Iraqi Freedom” in 2003, Duckworth told The Associated Press. “We have to rebuild the capacity. At the same time, what capacity we have is aging and breaking down and taking longer and more expensive to fix.” Their trip comes

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SPRINGFIELD – Legislation championed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and AARP Illinois that makes roads safer and removes age barriers to align Illinois with the rest of the nation was signed into law recently by Governor JB Pritzker. The Road Safety & Fairness Act (HB 1226), introduced by State Senator Ram Villivalam (8th District – Chicago) and State Representative Jay Hoffman (113th District – Belleville), passed the Illinois House and Senate chambers unanimously during the General Assembly’s Spring session earlier this year. The legislation, which passed with 70 percent of lawmakers signing on as co-sponsors, takes effect on July 1, 2026. The legislation creates new procedures aimed at preventing unsafe motorists – regardless of age – from driving by enabling immediate relatives to report a decline in cognitive or medical issues to the state for review. Illinois is currently one of only five states that do not allow immediate family

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the attorneys general of California, Delaware, New Jersey and Rhode Island co-led a multistate lawsuit today challenging illegal conditions the Trump administration is imposing on Congressionally-authorized Victims of Crime Act grants. Raoul and the coalition of 20 other attorneys general filed the lawsuit today targeting the Trump administration’s recent decision declaring that states will be unable to access funds used to support victims and survivors of crimes unless they agree to support the administration’s extreme immigration enforcement efforts. The lawsuit argues the administration is disregarding the letter of the law and intent of Congress with their decision. “Providing support to survivors of violent crime is some of the most important work my office does, and it is work I have prioritized since becoming Illinois Attorney General. The Trump administration’s imposition of illegal conditions on this

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EDWARDSVILLE – Underrepresented youth – with an interest in college and those who are already there – have a tireless advocate and committed champion in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Darryl C. Cherry. This sentiment was celebrated and underscored as being resoundingly true when Cherry, coordinator of Student Retention and Academic Advisor for Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) and FirstGen Forward Coordinator, was recently named as 2025 Educator of the Year by the Eta Kappa Zeta (East St. Louis) Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. “We chose him because we saw the extent and longevity of his community involvement and how well he worked in the community,” said Marla Golliday, president of the Eta Kappa Zeta Chapter of ZPB. “We saw a lot of positive things in him. There are all the activities he’s involved in on the SIUE campus. He is very hands on with the100 Black Men and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

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SPRINGFIELD – Whether it’s a severe weather event, power for telecommunications loss, or the threat of school violence, students need emergency preparedness information during this Back2School Safety Month. “August is a busy month with students returning to school and college and we encourage preparedness education so that the school year is as smooth and positive as possible,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Acting Director Theodore (Ted) Berger. Storms and storm-related emergencies can affect a student’s transportation, so alternative plans should be mapped out ahead of time. If power or cell phone service goes out, students need other ways to communicate with family and schools. A student’s digital security can prevent problems like identity theft and scams. Additionally, students in grade and high school can use Safe2HelpIL as a tool to help keep them safe. Students can utilize Safe2HelpIL

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BRIGHTON - Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation will once again host the Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners and Fish Hookers Ball to raise funds to purchase an ambulance for Alton Memorial Hospital. On Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, community members are invited to NILO Farms in Brighton for the event. Complete with raffles, a quail flush, launch golf, skeet and trap shooting, a silent auction, a live auction, a steak dinner and more fun, the ball is a chance to come together to support local health services and first responders. The foundation hopes to raise $225,000 to purchase a new ambulance. “It’s making sure that at Alton Memorial, we have the right equipment in the right place at the right time for our staff so the paramedics and EMTs are able to do their job and take care of your family,” said Jason Bowman, EMS manager at Alton Memorial Hospital. Bowman and Shannon Fraley, who oversees the event through Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation, explained

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JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville resident with an extensive criminal history faces new charges after allegedly burglarizing Westlake Country Club and stealing a golf cart while armed with a stun gun in the presence of his 5-year-old son. Quentin A. McEvers, 37, of Jerseyville, was charged on Aug. 13, 2025 with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle (a Class 2 felony), unlawful possession of weapon by a felon (a Super Class 3 felony), and burglary without causing damage (a Class 3 felony). On Aug. 6, 2025, McEvers allegedly entered a building of Westlake Country Club in Jerseyville without legal authority, intending to commit a theft. He was additionally accused of possessing a stolen red 2021 Yamaha golf cart while illegally in possession of a stun gun as a previously convicted felon. The Jersey County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny McEvers’s pretrial release, stating McEvers “had his 5-year-old son with him when he committed these new

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COLLINSVILLE – Ameren Illinois is using groundbreaking technology to more quickly and accurately determine when sub-transmission power lines should be upgraded, improving service reliability and saving customers money. A device known as "LineVue" is placed on the sub-transmission power lines to assess the steel core of wires – aluminum conductor steel reinforced or aluminum core steel supported – to identify any potential defects, such as frays in the line, and determine the optimal time to replace them. The unit is controlled remotely from the ground. Sub-transmission lines typically transmit 34.5 kilovolts to 69 kilovolts of electricity to regional distributions substations before the voltage is stepped down further to be delivered to customer homes and businesses. More than 45,000 miles of sub-transmission and distribution power lines span the Ameren Illinois service territory. Approximately 1.3 million utility poles, including 2,000 high-strength composite

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EDWARDSVILLE — The 33rd annual Edwardsville D.A.R.E. Car-Truck-Motorcycle Show took place on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, bringing together vehicle enthusiasts and community members despite challenges posed by the extreme heat of 100-degree temperatures and technical difficulties. Organizers of the event, held at a new location this year, expressed gratitude to participants, sponsors, volunteers and attendees who braved the weather to support the fundraiser for the local D.A.R.E. program. The event showcased a variety of vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles and other multi-wheeled machines, drawing interest from both dedicated car enthusiasts and casual visitors. However, the combination of high heat and humidity led organizers to make the difficult decision to close the show earlier than planned. Additionally, computer problems prevented the timely completion of judging, delaying the announcement of competition results. Organizers apologized for the shortcomings

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BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The Belleville Police Department officially swore in Officer Dean this past week as she prepares to begin training at the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy. The Belleville Police Department invited the public to congratulate Officer Dean and extend well-wishes as she embarks on her law enforcement career.

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