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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District is pleased to announce that new laptops and hotspots are available for check out by eligible patrons of the District. The laptops come equipped with current Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, have a web camera, ports for a flash drive on which to save work, and up-to-date browsers installed to search and access the internet. The wifi hotspots can link a device, such as this laptop, a tablet, or phone, to high-speed internet service- free of charge. The Library received funding for the laptops through the Illinois State Library's Expanding Digital Inclusion: Transforming Library Services grant. Bernadette Duvernoy, Executive Director of Hayner Library said, “The district is so excited to offer this service to our community. We learned many lessons while working through the pandemic. Offering patrons access to education, information and communication without actually coming into the library is critical. Along

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GODFREY – Waggoner Equipment Rental, LLC has been chosen as the March 2022 Riverbend Growth Association Small Business of the Month award recipient. Located at 6 Helmkamp Drive in Wood River, the family-owned and operated company has been in business for 35 years now. Waggoner is a large equipment rental company, with a core fleet of deck cranes that range from 2.5 tons to 25 tons. Additionally, they have a solo 33-ton boom truck as well as rough terrain cranes with a range of 35 to 160 tons. They can also provide their customers with forklifts/telehandlers and skid steer equipment as needed, as well as crane mats and rigging. Waggoner provides free onsite job evaluations and consultations and offers 24-hour service as needed. All their operators are NCCCO certified and members of International Union of Operating Engineers and they have a fully staffed shop to service the equipment. Waggoner got its start in Madison, Ill. It was first owned and operated by Wilbur Waggoner. At

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As March is National Nutrition Month, Touchette Regional Hospital wants to help increase awareness of the importance of nutrition and provide tips on how you can make healthy food and drink choices, create improved eating habits, and incorporate more physical activity into your daily lifestyle. Here are some healthy tips from Macia Noorman, MS, RD, LD, Lead Dietitian at Touchette. 1. Make half your plate fruits and vegetable 2. Watch portion sizes 3. Prepare healthy snacks 4. Cook at home 5. Drink more water 6. Get to know food labels 7. Be active 8. Stretch 9. Explore new foods and flavors “Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many goals at one time. Try to set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-oriented) and work one day and meal at a time to achieve your goals,” says Noorman. The staff at Touchette Regional Hospital encourages you to incorporate healthy tips into your daily activities. And if you find that you need additional

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EDWARDSVILLE - Most people enter the world of education because they were inspired by some of their own previous educators. The same goes for Albert Cassens fifth-grade teacher Lauren Heigert. “I very distinctly remember my kindergarten and seventh grade Language Arts teachers. They had a knack for making you forget you were even at school because every minute of the day was filled with engagement. I loved their enthusiasm and unconventional techniques that stuck with me many years later.” Heigert had a desire to be a teacher ever since she was a kindergartner. That desire never waived, but rather it evolved into a passion. Heigert’s love for teaching was solidified when she was placed in a fourth-grade classroom with the now retired Leslie Piork at Worden Elementary. “I remember just watching her execute her lessons with grace and precision and would constantly tell myself ‘I hope that is me someday’.” Heigert is now in her 10 th year

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In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin thanked Dr. Ezike for her leadership in Illinois during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as she steps down from the position WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to express his gratitude to Dr. Ngozi Ezike as she steps down from her position as Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health today after leading Illinois through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin highlighted Dr. Ezike’s positive impact on public health and applauded her approach to reassuring and educating Illinoisans about coronavirus. Dr. Ezike is a Harvard-trained, board-certified internist and pediatrician who has worked at all levels of public health. She has served as Director of the Illinois Department of Health for three years. “Appearing with Governor JB Pritzker at his daily briefings, she was the public face of Illinois’ effort to contain the virus and save lives.

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CHICAGO – Following extensive conversations with stakeholders, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is filing rules to simplify the cannabis dispensary license application process, remove barriers for social equity applicants, and expand opportunities targeted to the communities most impacted by the failed war on drugs. IDFPR is required by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA) to issue at least 50 new adult use cannabis dispensary licenses by the end of 2022. “From day one, Illinois has been dedicated to leading the nation in an equity-centric approach to legalizing cannabis, and these proposed changes to the application process will make it much easier for social equity applicants to pursue licenses.” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “I appreciate all the feedback we have received from stakeholders since the start of the cannabis program, whose work informed this proposal and is continuing to make Illinois’ growing cannabis

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JERSEYVILLE - Donald R. Little files for Re-Election for Jersey County Board. Little notes experience, accomplishments, and goals for continued service. Donald R. Little is a candidate for re-election to the Jersey County Board in the June 28, 2022, Democratic Primary election in Board District 4. Initially elected to the County Board in 1988, Little is currently the Jersey County Board Chairman, a post he has held since December 2014. Prior to serving on the County Board, Little was active in municipal and township government, serving on the Brighton Village and Piasa Township Boards, and the Southwestern School Board from 2011 to 2019. According to Little “Public service has been a central part of my life.” Little’s working career includes more than administration work. He has over ten years’ experience as a citizen advocate with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, handling consumer affairs and crime victim cases, and over 25 years as a fraud investigator

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville senior striker Olivia Baca had all three goals for her team, including the first two one minute apart, as the Tigers saw off Belleville Althoff Catholic 3-0 in the opening match of the Metro Cup showcase at Tiger Stadium Monday night. Baca's hat trick got Edwardsville off to a tremendous start to the 2022 campaign as the Tigers were in complete control of the match from the opening whistle, not allowing the defending IHSA Class 1A state champions very many opportunities. Baca meanwhile scored in the sixth, seventh and 58th minutes to give Edwardsville their first three points of the season. Olivia is an iCAN Clinic Female Athlete of the Month for EHS. "I feel great," Baca said during a post-match interview. "We've got a lot of new faces and I think we're just gelling all together. And I think it's going really well." Baca and fellow senior striker Payton Federmann were a dangerous combination throughout the night, with both having excellent chances off

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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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