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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.2 percentage point to 4.8 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased by +19,600 in February, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The January monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report from +8,600 to +10,800 jobs. The January unemployment rate was unchanged from the preliminary report, remaining at 5.0 percent. The February payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflects activity for the week including the 12th. In February, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month gains in employment were: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+8,300), Manufacturing (+4,800), Leisure and Hospitality (+4,800) and Educational and Health Services (+4,300). The industry sectors that reported monthly payroll declines were: Professional and Business Services (-3,400) and Financial

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ALTON - SIHF is highlighting Endometriosis Awareness Month; it’s an important time to bring women, families, and medical communities together to recognize the signs and symptoms of this disease that affects nearly 176 million women worldwide. “Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue – similar to endometrial tissue (the inner lining of the uterus) – spreads to areas outside the uterus, including the ovaries and the Fallopian tubes’” explained Jamie Hardman, OB/GYN Physician at SIHF Healthcare in Alton. Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, painful periods, pain with intercourse, pain with bowel movements or urination, excessive bleeding, and infertility. Other signs and symptoms include fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods. “Endometriosis can be a challenging condition to manage. An early diagnosis, a multidisciplinary medical team, and an understanding of your

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ST. LOUIS - Five pet care startups from across the U.S. pitched their businesses to pet industry influencers and investors at Global Pet Expo for a chance to win the 2022 Pet Care Innovation Prize powered by Purina. The Global Pet Expo is the pet industry's largest trade show attracting pet-focused entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes and stages from around the world. The grand prize is worth $10,000 and comes with support from pet care leader Purina. This year's grand prize winner was FluentPet . The San Diego-based startup is the company behind the FluentPet HexTile System: a way to combine recordable sound buttons and connecting HexTiles that enables dogs, cats, and other animals to express themselves and be understood by humans. FluentPet uses cognitive science and academic research to make teaching, learning, and communicating easier for pets and their people. "We are so grateful to be this year's Grand Prize winner, a prize we've been working toward for a number of years

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ST. LOUIS - Since the founding of the Nat'l Museum of Transportation in 1944, the museum and staff have worked to curate the largest collection of its kind in the world. Today, their mission is to be the leader in protecting and interpreting North America’s transportation heritage. The Museum’s rail and transit collections have grown to encompass more than 190 major exhibits. The collection is recognized as the largest collection of transportation vehicles in the world. A day at the National Museum of Transportation is the "perfect St. Louis family outing." With a new year comes new exhibitions, and TNMOT has much to offer. Raffle to Win a 1924 Model T – through June 19 The 'Road to the Big Raffle' prizes include a beautiful 1924 Ford Model T Coupe, gas gift cards (Who doesn't need that right now?), WeatherTech Gift Card, Mobile Detailing, and more! Each day from June 12 through June 19 a winner will be drawn. Tickets are $25 each or five for $100.00. Two tickets

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ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Area Foodbank has been selected for the 2022 Best of Bridgeton Award in the Non-Profit Organization category. About the Best of Bridgeton Award: Each year, the Bridgeton Award Program identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Bridgeton area a great place to live, work, and play. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy. The St. Louis Area Foodbank celebrates being the recipient of this award and we are grateful for this recognition by the City of Bridgeton. The need for food is immense and continues to grow. In an average year, nearly 400,000 people rely on the St. Louis Area Foodbank for assistance, and during the pandemic, we’ve served more neighbors

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois is putting our fiscal house in order and paying off our debt. I applaud House Democrats for prioritizing legislation that will use our resources in the most fiscally responsible way: SB2803 will pay down more than $4.1 billion in debt. I especially appreciate the tireless work to dedicate additional revenues to one-time efforts that will produce a stronger budget for years to come, and I extend my gratitude in particular to Leaders Greg Harris, Marcus Evans and Jay Hoffman and Reps. Will Davis, Robyn Gabel, Lisa Hernandez and Michael Zalewski for advancing this priority. I’m disappointed that Republicans are putting their politics ahead of fiscal responsibility while Democrats in the General Assembly are taking the lead to put our fiscal house in order. SB 2803 Key Facts As amended in the House, SB 2803 accomplishes several key goals the Governor laid out in his State of the State and budget proposal, paying off $4.1 billion in debt: Dedicates a substantia

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GODFREY – The Nature Institute, located at 2213 South Levis Lane in Godfrey, IL, is happy to announce the trails will open on April 1 for public use. TNI has over 5 miles of trails of easy to difficult terrain. Most trails have a dirt tread, but there is one ½ mile paved trail which is home to the Hayner Library’s StoryWalk. The public is welcome to enjoy hiking the property between the hours of 7 am and dusk. Trail maps are available at the trailhead, and bathrooms will be available for use near the lodge. There are also picnic tables scattered around the trailhead and lodge that families are welcome to use, but please gather your trash and belongings and take them with you. Since The Nature Institute is an Illinois Nature Preserve, meaning everything is protected under state law, flowers and mushrooms should be left to grow and rocks and feathers should be left on the property. Pets of all kinds should be left at home as TNI does not allow pets on the trails. Also

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School student Sarah Meng is the Edwardsville Rotary Club Student of the Month Award for March. Sarah was nominated by her mathematics teacher, Tiffany McBride. Sarah achieved the honor roll last semester in her academic courses at Edwardsville High School. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the piano, dabbling in art, and baking. Sarah says she would like to attend the Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville after her high school graduation to major in psychology. The Edwardsville Rotary Club recognizes a student each month September through April. Each May, Edwardsville High School staff chooses one of the monthly winners to receive the $1,500 Edwardsville High School Rotary Scholarship. The awards have been given since 1996 and the Edwardsville Rotary Club has given out over $28,000 in scholarships to date.

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WOOD RIVER - Charlie’s Drive-In in Wood River is about to be back in business. Chastity and Aaron Niemeyer, and Fred and Jeri Shaw purchased the Charlie’s Drive-In business at 7262 Wood River Avenue in Wood River from the previous owners recently. The plan after some work on the building is to be open in mid-April, Chastity said. Chastity and Jeri are the main partners in the business. Chastity said the two became friends with their sons involved in East Alton-Wood River wrestling. “Our sons wrestled together from fifth grade through East Alton-Wood River High School,” she said. “We love East Alton and Wood River. I graduated from high school in 2001.” Aaron Niemeyer Jr. and Jason Shaw were the sons who wrestled together. The big question is will the famed homemade root beer and mini-burgers be part of the menu, and the answer Chastity says is “yes,” right at the top. Coffee and iced coffees may also be added at some point to the menu

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WOOD RIVER - Carlos E. Watson, 23, of East St. Louis, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He allegedly fired in the direction of another man on March 20. The other two charges involve the same conduct but different sections of the criminal code. Bail is set at $150,000. The charges were filed on March 21. GLEN CARBON - Rudy J. Hampton, 45, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine. He allegedly possessed less than five grams of the drug on March 19. Bail was set at $25,000. The charge was filed on March 21. EDWARDSVILLE - Calvin L. Heath, 46, of the first block of Devon Place, Edwardsville, was charged Wednesday with aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor domestic battery. He allegedly choked a household member on March 18. He was also accused of domestic battery for striking the victim. Bail was set at $50,000. EDWARDSVILLE - Kolbe P. Hughes, 23, of Independence,

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GRAFTON - Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow is proud to see one of the city’s treasures - the Loading Dock-Boat House - moving closer to the National Register of Historic Places list. Mayor Morrow said it was announced at the Grafton City Council Meeting that the historic Boat Works building has been approved as a historic site on the state realm and is now headed for those who decide on the National Register of Historic places buildings. The Allen family are the owners of the Loading Dock-Boat House. Peter Allen announced the state decision at the Grafton Council meeting this week. The National Register of Historic Places is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance. “I think everybody in Grafton is absolutely pleased to see it go to the National Historic Register of Places decision-makers,” Mayor Morrow said. “One positive is buildings

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Jacob Godoy, 17, of St. Louis, pled guilty to one count of first-degree murder for the January 2021 killing of SIUE student Moneer Damra. “The Defendant turned the streets of Madison County into a shooting gallery that evening, and took the life of a wonderful young man, senselessly and brutally,” Haine said. “Such violence will be met with the strictest prosecution in Madison County. We continue to pray for Moneer’s family, the SIUE community, and the ROTC program as they continue forward in the face of this horrific tragedy.” On the evening of January 14, 2021, Damra was a passenger in a vehicle on Interstate 270 and Route 157 in Edwardsville when he was struck by gunfire. He was taken to a local hospital and passed away several days later as a result of the injury. The first-degree murder charge is a Class M felony, and the sentencing range is 20-60 years in the Illinoi

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ALTON - Alton Fire Chief Jesse Jemison expressed pride that the contract between the Firefighters and Teamsters unions and the City of Alton had been approved by the deadline and it seemed a fair agreement for both sides. In previous years, the chief said some of the negotiations had been very heated and it was hard to come to a compromise. The chief says the other good news is it is a four-year agreement that runs from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2026. Chief Jemison has been a firefighter for many years and remembers how difficult some of the negotiations had been in the past. He explained the pay raises as 3 percent in the first two years and 2.5 percent in the third and fourth years. “This is a very historic thing,” he said that the contract had been settled before the deadline. “My approach was not to argue about little things and keep me vs. you out of it. "I think we were able to come up with a fair contract and equipment for firefighters and Teamsters

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MARYVILLE - Anderson Hospital is proud to have been named one of the best hospitals in the United States by Newsweek magazine in their annual "World’s Best Hospitals" rankings released this month. The 2022 list lands Anderson Hospital in the top 6% of 6,090 hospitals in the United States. Newsweek is a premier news magazine and website that has been bringing high-quality journalism to readers around the globe for over 80 years. This is the fourth year of their World’s Best Hospitals rankings. “Many medical institutions struggled with challenges over the course of the pandemic, but what has set the world's leading hospitals apart is their continued ability to deliver the highest-quality patient care and conduct critical medical research even as they focused on battling COVID,” stated Nancy Cooper, Global Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry-ranking provider.

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GREENE COUNTY - The latest Greene County Jail Booking Report shows two Greene County residents were recently arrested on traffic-related charges - one was also arrested on gun-related charges, while the other was arrested for drug possession. Ethan Taylor of Carrolton was arrested at 8:44 p.m. on Tuesday night. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving with a license that was revoked or suspended. Taylor is currently being held at the Carrollton Police Department. Angelina Kent of Beardstown was arrested at 8:40 p.m on Sunday. She was charged with possession of a firearm with an invalid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card. She was also charged with operating a motor vehicle while registration is suspended. Kent was held at the Greenfield Police Department but has since been released on bond.

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ALTON - The Alton Amphitheater Commission is currently accepting applications from vendors interested in participating in Commission organized events at Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater during the 2022 season. “As we prepare for an exciting season at Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, the Amphitheater Commission is committed to providing the opportunity for a wide-variety of vendors to introduce their products to the thousands of guests who attend events on our beautiful riverfront,” said Commission Chair Dan Herkert. Vendor applications for regular, yearly events such as Fireworks On The Mississippi, concerts, and the Alton Jazz & Wine Festival are accepted on a continuing basis and will be considered by the Amphitheater Commission as they are received. If approved, vendors will be notified promptly of their participation in scheduled events. Vendors wishing to participate in the 2022 Alton Expo in September must submit a separate application. For planning and marketing

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ALTON - The following is a statement from Cory Jobe, President & CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau: “The Alton Riverfront is a gem and is the regional gateway to the Great River Road and unparalleled scenic beauty. I applaud the forward-thinking of Alton Mayor David Goins and members of the Alton City Council to see the need to form a commission which can ultimately transform and develop our coveted riverfront. Outdoor recreational opportunities go together with attracting travelers to southwest Illinois and the Alton Riverfront is key to those developments. Engagement with the residents, the business community, and stakeholders will in turn bring about transformational change to the region. “These changes will then place the Great Rivers & Routes region as a whole in a stronger position for future development along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. We all need to be forward-thinking as we approach our rivers and byways. From Route 66

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville High School cheer squad hosted a Kindergarten to Fifth-Grade Cheer Clinic this past Saturday with a huge attendance. More than 350 K-5 students participated in the clinic. Those in attendance spent the afternoon learning jumps, sideline cheers, floor cheers, and dances from the varsity, junior varsity, and fall EHS cheerleaders. The day culminated with performances in front of a packed house. "It was a fun and spirited event," the cheer coaches said in a statement about the event.

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SPRINGFIELD – People would be prohibited from burning toxic synthetic chemicals in Illinois, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that passed the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee Thursday. “The risk PFAS chemicals pose to people and the environment has become clearer, which is why it’s important we are acting now to reduce the amount of these chemicals entering our air,” Belt said. “The Metro East is at an immediate risk of exposure to these potentially harmful substances.” House Bill 4818 would prohibit incinerating materials covered under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory that contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, in Illinois. The measure clarifies that incineration does not include the use of thermal oxidation for the purposes of pollution control and includes an exemption for the combustion of gases at landfills.

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HIGHLAND - Highland Lions Club President Tom Mannion with Lions Gene Redman (Past President) (R) and Larry “Biddy” Essenpreis (L) accepted 390 pairs of eyeglasses, 17 hearing aids, and 3 cell phones from Jay Boulanger of Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home. As a community service, and to help the Lions Club, the funeral home offers to collect the items from families they serve. Both Redman and Essenpreis work at the funeral home and help with the collections. Anyone wishing to provide donations is urged to contact Spengel-Boulanger in Highland and Marine or Dauderman Mortuary in Alhambra and Hamel at any time.

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