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Illinois American Water’s work to separate the Alton combined sewer system and install new sanitary sewers continues. Below is information about this week’s road closures – Mar. 14, 2022 Piasa Valley Area: 6th and 7th St. east of Alby Street is open to George Street, with surface restoration work being completed as weather permits. Please drive carefully as some of the roadways are still rock surfaces. Alby Street is closed from 6th Street north to 9th Street, with closures north and east of Alby/8th Street in place. 8th Street east of Alby is closed to Easton Street. With the road closures on 9th Street and Alby Street, access to Schwegel’s Market will be from the north. Access to the parking lots will be maintained during the construction. Please look for future updates on this. Turner Tract Area: Danforth Street pavement restoration will be starting soon. The alley south of McKinley east of Lincoln is back open to traffic, with pavement restoration happening

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ST. LOUIS — For a limited time, the American Red Cross has resumed testing all blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Plasma from routine donations that have high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to help meet the needs of COVID-19 patients with weakened immune systems. At the same time, the Red Cross blood supply remains vulnerable, and individuals are urged to schedule a blood or platelet donation. In the days and weeks ahead, it’s critically important the Red Cross maintains a readily available blood supply so hospital patients can receive the care they need. To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross first tested donations for COVID-19 antibodies earlier in the pandemic to provide convalescent plasma for patients. When infection rates decreased and new treatment options became available, the Red Cross discontinued the

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SPRINGFIELD - The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Mclean County, Illinois. Anyone that owns birds or is involved with poultry production, whether on a small or commercial level, should be aware of this finding and take precautions to protect their flock. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is working closely with APHIS on a joint incident response. IDOA quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the properties will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flocks will not enter the food system. “Producers and owners should review their biosecurity plans and prevent contact with wild birds and their droppings,” said Dr. Mark Ernst, IDOA State Veterinarian. “IDOA also strongly encourages all producers to keep birds indoors when possible.”

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School opened the Grounds City Café in 2022, and it has already been a success. The Café, which is run by GCHS S.T.E.P. Coordinator Kellie Hutchings and students, is open each morning 25 minutes before school and during 1 st and 2 nd hour by appointment. Students are getting hands-on experience, which will prepare them for future employment upon graduation.

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CARLINVILLE - There's something for almost everyone in a fast-moving new book on Madison County history that is loaded with facts and anecdotes. Writer Tom Emery of Carlinville is releasing The Madison County History Reader, a collection of over sixty of his articles on a wide array of subjects relating to the history, people, and places of Madison County. The reader is different than any other book on county history and looks at many fascinating aspects of the past in this area. Many leading towns in the county are covered in some fashion in the book, which is 170 pages long and fully illustrated. Topics include the origins of the county, pioneer experiences in Madison’s earliest days, as well as the Civil War era, and some of the remarkable women the county has produced. Other topics include world wars, education, natural disasters, sports, celebrities, and early holidays. Emery’s work is familiar to area readers, as his articles regularly appear across Madison County.

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ELSAH – Junior Hannah Meiser from Civic Memorial just wrapped up her basketball season one week ago when she and her team took home fourth place at state. She finished that season having played in all 38 games and scoring 101 points along the way. She should be a regular starter next season. Only one week later though, she begins another journey for the Eagles track and field team. She took to the track in the 6 th Annual Jersey Winter Thaw held at Principia where she ran the 1,600-meter race. It was her first run of the year and she mentioned being a little nervous. “For sure nerves were there. I didn’t expect much," she said. "I only got to practice for a week before I ran this race.” She still took home a 6 th place finish out of 36 competitors with a time of 5:42 for the one mile but feels she can improve upon her time. For her efforts so far in track and field and basketball, Hannah Meiser is one of the Tom Lane State Farm Insurance CM Female Athletes

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SAUGET - The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has announced it is investigating the discovery of a body early Sunday morning at the Oz Nightclub in Sauget. A man - 29-year-old Jonathan Brown - was found shot to death outside the nightclub in St. Clair County. Sauget Police made the discovery of the body of the Black Jack, Mo., man. He was pronounced dead at 10:30 Sunday after a gunshot wound to his head. Anyone with information on the killing is asked to call the Sauget Police Department at (618) 337-5267 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.

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ALTON - The temps were cool, but there was plenty of Irish fun and entertainment Saturday in Alton businesses for the annual St. Pat’s Day Crawl. Jody and Stacy of Jerseyville said they had “a blast” at the Pub Crawl. “We love it,” the two said. “We are from Jerseyville and we don’t have to go far for a big St. Pat’s Day party. It has been great to go back to the bars and the scene.” Another said St. Patrick’s Day is their favorite holiday and said they thought Alton did it right on Saturday. “I think a lot of it has to do with our family heritage and the fact we like to drink and celebrate,” the person said. “I think Alton should also have a parade for St. Pat’s Day and make a day of it.” Mary Morrison of Morrison’s Irish Pub was all smiles Saturday. “It is nice to have everybody out to celebrate and come together,” she said. “This year will be a good year. Our

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ALTON - A man died after a crash in the 800 block of Brown Street in the early morning of March 13, 2022. The driver was later identified as Keith D. Brenner, 33, of Alton. This is the information from Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido: "At 6:30 a.m. on March 13, 2022, Alton Police Officers and the Alton Fire Department were dispatched to the 800 block of Brown Street in reference to a traffic crash with probable injuries," the chief said. "Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver and sole occupant of a white Chevrolet S10 was traveling southeast on Brown Street from the area of Union Street. "The S10, for an unknown reason, crossed over the opposing travel lanes in the 800 block of Brown Street and partially overturned. The S10 collided with a wheelchair ramp which was attached to a residence in the 800 block of Brown Street as well as a tree. This S10 sustained extensive damage." Chief Pulido said life-saving measures were attempted on the driver, but unfortunately,

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BRIGHTON - The Macoupin County Sheriff's Office and Coroner's Office are investigating the death of a man who was found deceased in a vehicle submerged in water in the 3000 block of Miles Station Road in Brighton on March 12, 2022. At 9:43 a.m. on March 12, 2022, the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office responded to Miles Station Road in Brighton location in reference to a vehicle in a lake. "Upon arrival, deputies discovered a vehicle submerged in the water," Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl said. "After removing the vehicle from the water, deputies located 31-year-old Kenneth Torrez of Brighton deceased inside the vehicle. "Torrez was pronounced deceased by the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Coroner’s Office will be conducting the investigation."

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) commissioned 15 new Troopers of Cadet Class 134 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield, bringing the total ISP troopers added since 2019 to 279. Cadet Class 134 was a “Fast Track” class for certified police officers to become Illinois State Troopers through participation in an accelerated training program. The new Troopers will report to five ISP patrol districts throughout the state on Monday, March 14, 2022. Cadet Class 134 marks the sixth cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker, which brings the total investment to 279 new Troopers since 2019. The Governor’s proposed ISP budget for Fiscal Year 2023 will be the largest in ISP history and will allow for an additional 300 new Troopers. “On behalf of the State of Illinois, I wish a heartfelt congratulations to the new Troopers of Cadet Class 134,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, 15 brave men and

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SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) reminds Illinoisians to test, inspect for expired alarms, and replace batteries in their smoke and CO alarms as they change the clock this weekend. “It’s simple, working smoke alarms save lives! Replacing broken or expired smoke alarms will provide an early warning and help prevent loss of life due to fire,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “Construction materials used in today’s homes are made from more synthetic materials which means they burn hotter and faster, while also producing toxic smoke. This means people typically have less than 3 minutes to escape their homes, which makes the early warning that smoke alarms provide even more vital.” The time change serves as a bi-annual reminder to test all smoke and CO alarms in your home. If you find an alarm that is not working or is expired, replace the alarm immediately with a new 10-year sealed battery alarm. Review your

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SPRINGFIELD – The 2021-2022 Illinois bobcat season concluded on Feb. 15 with 290 bobcats harvested by hunters and trappers. A total of 174 (56%) of bobcats were taken by hunting, while trapping accounted for 116 (37%) of the harvest. Twenty-three (7%) were salvaged by permit holders from circumstances such as roadkill. Hunters and trappers in Jefferson County reported 17 bobcats, which was the most for any county this year. There were more than 6,000 bobcat lottery applicants in 2021, and 1,000 permits were issued for the season. The bobcat harvest from the 2020-2021 season was 339, with 22 salvaged. The IDNR appreciates the support of hunters, trappers and IDNR staff who collected jaws for the bobcat research project at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The IDNR continues to monitor the status of bobcats and will evaluate the program as new data become available from ongoing research. For more information about bobcat hunting and trapping, visit https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/trapping/Pages/Bobcat-Hunting-and-Trapping.aspx

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History has seen some fiercely intelligent, powerful, and inspirational women who have been pioneers for women’s rights and racial equality and have defined the worlds of science, mathematics, aviation, and literature. Some were inventors, scientists, leaders, politicians, and queens - literally. The list of inspirational women in history is endless, but these 12 strong women undeniably changed the world for the better. They were the rule-breakers and pioneers that showed their male peers what it means to be role models. Jane Austen defined an entire literary genre with her shrewd social observations and wit. Born into a family of eight children in England, Austen started writing her now-classic novels, such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, in her teens. Her novels are funny, endearing, and question women’s roles within society. Austen had to hide her identity as the author of some of the most popular novels of her day and it wasn’t until her death

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TAYLORVILLE - John Mollet, a Taylorville resident, had some “bumps” in the road a few years back. Bumps that could have caused him to make some poor decisions that would not have been conducive to his personal, physical, or spiritual well-being. But as a former Marine, his mind was strong enough to steer him on a better path. Instead of adapting a lifestyle that would have most likely numbed his pain temporarily, but have lasting detrimental effects, he decided to go completely in the opposite direction. The first thing he did was open his own business, Zone Nutrition (2014) on Taylorville’s downtown square. Mollet didn’t just sell nutritional products, he lived them. Soon, some friends used a guest pass and took him to “their” gym, The Lock-Up Gym, also on the Taylorville square. The Lock-Up was opened in 2002 by Don Broaddus, a law enforcement officer, and was strictly for law enforcement personnel when it first opened. After only about a year,

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ALTON – Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, is teaming up with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) to host the 3 rd annual Problem and Compulsive Gambling Symposium on Thursday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom. CEUs are available. “March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. And, Centerstone is honored to host this free event with an exciting lineup of speakers to start conversations about gambling disorder issues and educate those in attendance about prevention, treatment and recovery services available,” said Angela Quigley-Ragland, clinical coordinator at Centerstone. Symposium speakers include: Deborah G. Haskins, Ph.D., LCPC, ACS, MAC, ICGC II, BACC, ICGSO - “Guess Who’s Coming to Problem Gambling Treatment, Prevention, and Community Wellness? What’s On Your Menu?” o Remember Sidney Portier in the amazing “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” Well, over 50 years later while there

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ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury indicted Cornelius M. Green and Phillip J. Cutler on March 9, 2022, for conspiracy to commit murder for hire and murder for hire that resulted in the death of Jocelyn Peters and her unborn child in 2016. The indictment alleges that Green and Cutler had a longstanding and close friendship and Green, already legally married to another was involved in an ongoing romantic relationship with Jocelyn Peters. In 2015, Ms. Peters became pregnant, with Green being the father of the unborn child. Cornelius Green was the principal at Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts School just outside downtown St. Louis at the time of the alleged crime. Beginning at an exact time unknown but including February 29, 2016, through October 11, 2016, within the Eastern District of Missouri and elsewhere, Green devised a plan to murder Peters and her unborn child. Part of that plan was that Green offered cash to Cutler for the murder of Peters and her unborn child. It

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EDWARDSVILLE - Marathon Pipe Line (MPL) released more late Saturday morning about the crude oil spill near Edwardsville. MPL Communications Director Jamil T. Kheiry released these comments: Upon detecting the release Friday morning, March 11, MPL shut down the pipeline and deployed response resources. Crude oil reached the Cahokia diversion channel, and MPL has deployed boom at several locations along the channel to contain it. No injuries have been reported. MPL has deployed air monitoring in the area as a precaution and has detected no hazardous level of emissions. There are no water intakes or private wells in the immediate vicinity of the release. MPL resources deployed to the area for cleanup activities include boom, vacuum trucks, skimmers, and excavating equipment. Additional personnel and equipment are en route to the location to assist in cleanup activities. We are working with local, state, and federal agencies as we respond. MPL’s top priorities are to ensure

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SPRINGFIELD – The estimate of the Madison County crude oil release on Friday, March 11, 2022, in a crude oil spill from a pipeline, which impacted Cahokia Creek, is 3,000 barrels or 165,000 gallons. The spill occurred near Illinois Route 143 and Old Alton-Edwardsville Road in Edwardsville. The National Response Center and Illinois Emergency Management Agency received the initial reports regarding the crude oil release. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has referred an enforcement action to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office against Marathon Pipe Line LLC (Marathon) for a release of crude oil from a pipeline near Edwardsville (Madison County). The referral cites violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and the Illinois Pollution Control Board’s regulations. The Marathon pipeline runs parallel to Cahokia Creek, and the release was observed flowing out of the bank on the creek along the pipeline right-of-way. Emergency

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor J.B. Pritzker on Friday announced the appointment of Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright to the newly-formed Illinois Forensic Science Commission, subject to confirmation by Senate. Wright is an Alton native and 1997 graduate of Marquette Catholic High School. The Forensic Science Commission will provide guidance to the General Assembly and other forensic science stakeholders in the criminal justice system to ensure the efficient delivery of forensic services and the sound practice of forensic science. Illinois is one of 11 states to establish a Forensic Science Commission. Wright said: “As State’s Attorney, I am deeply committed to the fair and equal administration of justice in Sangamon County. Forensic evidence plays a critical role in our criminal justice system. Service on the Illinois Forensic Science Commission alongside experts in the field to ensure the sound practice of forensic science supports the ability of prosecutors

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