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EAST ALTON - The East Alton 13 School District Board of Education has appointed Mario D. Sherrell as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Sherrell, currently the Executive Director of Educational Improvement for the Mascoutah School District will begin his tenure with East Alton on July 1, 2022. The Board of Education retained the Illinois Association of School Boards to lead a nationwide search for the next superintendent. The Board, assisted by the Association, conducted a thorough vetting process which included stakeholder input and interviews by the staff, community, administration, and all Board of Education members. At the conclusion of its process, the Board unanimously (7-0) approved Mr. Sherrell. Kim Handler, school board president, had the following to say about Mario: “Our district is thrilled to welcome Mario Sherrell. We believe his experience, education, and passion make him the perfect fit for EASD13. We look forward to his leadership.”

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Letter To The Editor: In late January, Macoupin County IL Democratic Party voted unanimously to support a proposed change to the IL State Constitution which reads: "WHERAS, the proposed Section 25: Workers’ Rights would state: (a) Employees shall have the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work. No law shall be passed that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and workplace safety, including any law or ordinance that prohibits the execution or application of agreements between employers and labor organizations that represent employees requiring membership in an organization as a condition of employment.” MCDP Chair Pam Monetti said, “We

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Nonprofit, fully online university to provide Amazon’s hourly employees access to 10 business and IT degree programs ST. LOUIS – WGU Missouri today announced it has been selected as an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program, providing Amazon’s hourly employees throughout the state with full tuition toward select undergraduate degree programs in information technology and business. The goal of the program is to connect Amazon employees with opportunities to learn new skills for career success, whether that be at Amazon or elsewhere. “WGU is honored to be selected by Amazon as an education partner, and we look forward to providing the company’s hourly employees with access to career-boosting education that will help them grow their skills and advance their careers,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “Both Amazon and WGU are committed to providing adults who might otherwise not be able to earn a degree

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ST. LOUIS – To help customers communicate with friends and family impacted by the conflict in Ukraine, Spectrum today announced it is waiving charges for all calls to Ukraine for Spectrum Voice® and Spectrum Mobile™ customers through the end of March 2022. Standard SMS text messages to Ukraine already are included at no extra charge with Spectrum Mobile service. Customers don’t need to do anything; the fees will be automatically waived from their monthly bill. About Spectrum Spectrum is a suite of advanced communications services offered by Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states. Over an advanced communications network, the company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet ® , TV, Mobile and Voice.

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Multi-platinum pop icons New Kids on the Block released “Bring Back The Time,” the feel-good instant hit sure to get everyone smiling. Joined by their upcoming Mixtape Tour 2022 tour mates, Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley and En Vogue, New Kids on the Block are bringing fans the high-octane anthem that they all need right now. A historic first, the song marks the only time the artists have all collaborated on music together. “Bring Back The Time” is accompanied by an epic music video, which premiered exclusively on Billboard.com this morning. To celebrate the release, New Kids on the Block sat down with Good Morning America this morning for an exclusive interview and to make the performance debut of “Bring Back The Time” with special guests Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley and En Vogue. Co-written and co-produced by Donnie Wahlberg the song aims to uplift and inspire listeners. The song embodies the feel-good sentiment of their upcoming

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s College of Arts and Sciences has announced a new Professional Leadership Strategies Post-Baccalaureate Certificate within the Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis (PAPA), which can be completed online in less than one year. The certificate is designed to prepare administrators to become better leaders regardless of where they are in their careers or organization, and offers leadership training that has applicability for professionals in any field through a series of specially designed courses offered in a compact format. “Too often professionals will find themselves being promoted or appointed into a position of leadership without having been prepared to lead,” said Drew Dolan, PhD, program director and professor in the Department of Public PAPA. “The Professional Leadership Strategies certificate is constructed to train individuals to be prepared to lead in current positions

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BELLEVILLE – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) accepted an award for his sustained support and meritorious service to Illinois fire services from the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Foundation on Wednesday. “Firefighters risk their lives every day,” Belt said. “I’m honored to receive this award and I will continue to support measures that benefit all Illinois firefighters.” The award comes in response to Belt’s support of legislation that would assist fire protection agencies and statewide associations, like Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, in pursuing donations designed to build a stronger and more sustainable fire, EMS and special team statewide intergovernmental cooperative system serving all municipalities during crisis and disaster level events. Existing law allows law enforcement agencies and their statewide associations to conduct raffles, while fire protection agencies and their statewide associations are not listed in current law

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ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition and Money Smart Committee, in partnership with United Way of Greater St. Louis, is hosting a Money Smart Kid Essay Contest for sixth through eighth-grade students in the St. Louis area. Three winners will be selected to receive scholarships, including a grand prize of $2,000. The second-place winner will receive $1,000, and a third-place finalist will receive $500. Additionally, applicants have the option to select a nonprofit organization or school to receive a $500 award if their essay is selected as one of the finalists. Students must demonstrate their knowledge of basic economic concepts by submitting an essay in 500 words or less that explains the importance of generational wealth and how to go about establishing it.?Submissions are due Friday, April 15. The full application and contest guidelines are available at MoneySmartSTL.org. Applications and essays can be submitted via email to essay@moneysmartstlouis.org.

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BENTON – A Jefferson County, Missouri, man was sentenced to a total of 600 months in prison on Friday, February 25, 2022, after a federal jury found him guilty in October of 2021 for arranging to have sex with a minor, traveling to pick her up in Belleville, Illinois, and producing sexually explicit images of her. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Earl G. Rice, Jr., 63, chatted online via a dating application with a teenage girl. Rice quickly indicated his interest in traveling to Belleville, Illinois, from Dittmer, Missouri, to meet the victim and engage in sexual acts with her. On Valentine’s Day of 2018, Rice arrived with alcohol, condoms, and a candle to take the victim to a nearby motel. Rice engaged in sexual acts with the victim and produced sexually explicit images of the teen girl on his cell phone. Belleville Police Department apprehended Rice at the scene of the crime. “Serious crimes deserve serious punishment, and w

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BETHALTO - Children and their parents are invited to experience the quality Christian education at Zion Lutheran School, Bethalto, Illinois. Open House events for Kindergarten and Preschool students and their families were rescheduled because of weather conditions. The new date is Thursday, March 10, 2022. For students entering Kindergarten in Fall 2022: Kindergarten Preview meetings for children and their parents on Thursday, March 10, 4:30 to 7 p.m., in the Kindergarten classrooms at the school, 625 Church Dr., Bethalto. A special presentation by the teachers begins every half hour during the evening (4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.). No sign-ups are required.

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ALTON - YWCA Southwestern Illinois is issuing its final call for 2022 Women of Distinction (WOD) nominations. WOD Nominations are due Friday, March 17, 2022, at 5 pm or postmarked by March 11, 2022. Nomination packages are available at YWCA or on the YWCA website (www.altonywca.com). You may request nomination materials by calling 618.465.7774 or by emailing info@ywcaswil.org. The community, especially members from the Women of Distinction Academy, is urged to nominate women who are making a difference in their communities. Women must live, work or volunteer in Madison and Jersey County to be eligible. After being honored at the annual Gala Event on April 28, 2022, honorees become part of the prestigious YWCA Women of Distinction Academy. The diverse Women of Distinction Academy includes in 2021 honorees who reside throughout Madison County: Leah Becoat, Savanna Bishop, Yvonne Campbell, Lanea Deconcini, Amy Gabriel, Jennifer Gottlob, Cameo C. Holland, Trish R. Holmes, Lacy S. McDonald,

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ALTON - Alton Memorial Hospital, a member of the Siteman Cancer Network, is resuming its free monthly skin cancer screenings in partnership with Siteman Cancer Center, starting March 22. The 2022 screenings will be held, by appointment only, from 4-6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month in Suite 101 of Medical Office Building A on the AMH campus. Call 618-463-7220 or visit www.altonmemorialhospital.org, then go to Classes & Events to register. Because of physical distancing, a limited amount of people will be allowed inside the office at one time. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment and do not bring another person with you unless it’s necessary. Being proactive is the one step to early detection. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. People with fair skin, light-colored hair, green or blue eyes, and people who freckle easily are at the greatest risk. Excessive sun exposure, blistering burns before the age of 18, and a family history of melanoma are

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URBANA – Severe weather often occurs in March with dew point temperatures in the 50s or 60s. Duane Friend, University of Illinois Extension natural resources educator, explains the impact of dew point on weather. Water vapor is the gas form of water. Air can only hold so much water vapor. When air reaches a temperature where it is holding as much water vapor as it can hold, the air is said to be saturated. The temperature at which this occurs is called the dew point temperature. "A more common way of talking about dew point is when relative humidity is at 100%," Friend says. "Warmer air can hold more water vapor; cold air can’t hold as much." When dew point temperatures are low, the air is not holding much water vapor. Higher dew points mean more water vapor is present. "Water vapor heats the surrounding air when it condenses," Friend says. "High dew points can increase the chances of thunderstorms." What conditions may increase the chances for thunderstorms? March

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ALTON - The Grand Opening Weekend of The Soul Asylum is finally here and they have a fun weekend planned for everyone – lots of door prizes and great giveaways. The first 10 people through the door on both Saturday and Sunday receive a free Soul Asylum t-shirt. Every ticket purchased this weekend will receive an entry for some great door prize giveaways to be drawn on Sunday afternoon, including two tickets to any American Hauntings Dinner & Spirits event at Mineral Springs, a private Soul Asylum Tour for six people, a private guided tour of the Mineral Springs Hotel for six people, a vintage horror movie night and paranormal investigation in The Soul Asylum for six people and more. Troy Taylor, author of Haunted Alton and leader in the paranormal community for over 25 years, will host a book signing at The Soul Asylum on Saturday from noon until 1 pm. Admission is $8.00. The Soul Asylum is the latest incarnation of oddities, curiosities, historical artifacts, and esoterica

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a bipartisan nationwide investigation into TikTok for providing and promoting its social media platform to children and young adults despite its use being associated with physical and mental health harms. Raoul and attorneys general around the country are examining whether the company engaged in conduct in violation of state consumer protection laws that put the public at risk. “Heavy social media usage has negative impacts on users’ mental health, for instance leading to low self-esteem and distorted body image. Those effects are amplified in those users who are children and teens,” Raoul said. “This investigation seeks to determine what methods TikTok is using to increase the time users spend on the platform, and how that increased time harms young users’ physical and mental health.” The investigation will evaluate the harms TikTok usage causes to young users and what the company knew abou

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EAST ALTON – Explore the key elements that determine what makes a river great at the March Neighbor Nights event presented by Media Specialist Jen Young. This month, Neighbor Nights is a collaboration between the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) and Green Drinks Kankakee Meet-Up group. Green Drinks is an International organization consisting of local groups who meet monthly to network and discuss sustainable and environmental topics. The presentation will take place on March 15 starting at 6:30 pm. It will be streamed over Zoom as well as in-person at BrickStone Brewery in Bourbonnais, IL. “The presentation will highlight some of the interesting animals and plants found in the river,” said Young, who recently transitioned from her role as an environmental educator with NGRREC to a media specialist role. “It will also discuss some of the Field Station’s green infrastructure and updates on the current research being conducted

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CARLINVILLE - Students from the area were named to the Blackburn College Dean's List for the fall 2021 semester. Students named to the Dean's list must earn a grade point average of 3.6 or higher for the semester. HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME Alton, IL Justin Atkinson Vashea Stanford Brighton, IL Taylor Nixon Carrollton, IL Christian Curtner East Alton, IL Dylan Klunk Pontoon Beach, IL Gabrianna Lucas Founded in 1837, Blackburn College is a four-year, Presbyterian-related, co-educational liberal arts college located in Carlinville, IL. One of only ten federally-recognized Work Colleges, Blackburn has the only program in the nation fully managed by students. Balancing academic rigor and experiential learning, each student at Blackburn gains tangible experience and develops critical skills by contributing to their community, all while building a resume and earning their degree. In their 2020 Best Colleges Rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Blackburn College

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - With the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions lightening, Ash Wednesday this year carries a strong symbol for self-reflection, repentance, and the future. For two years, people throughout the world have included masks in their daily lives and been hit with constant COVID-19 limitations. The COVID-19 Pandemic was unleashed in relentless fashion on the region around two years ago in March 2020. Wednesday was a beautiful day and attendance at churches around the region for ashes was reported as "strong." Father Paul Nguyen, OMV, estimated by the end of the day on March 2, 2022, at St. Mary's Church in Alton, more than 700 K-12 students received ashes, along with another 700 Catholic parishioners. Marquette Catholic students filled the church for one of the morning Masses. “It is great to have the church full and so many voices supporting the prayers,” Nguyen said. “Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent and preparation for the celebration of Easter.

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CHICAGO - Michael Madigan, 79, former Illinois Speaker of the House, and once one of the most powerful men in the state for years, has been indicted on racketeering charges. An indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on March 2, 2022, after an investigation that took more than two years. A scheme with utility business Commonwealth Edison was part of the grand jury investigation. Madigan is accused of illegally soliciting business for his private property tax law firm in the indictment. The alleged scheme stretches from Chicago to Springfield and connects politicians, lobbyists, business and utility executives and Madigan's law firm. Madigan's close friend Michael McClain is named as a co-defendant, and prosecutors allege he carried out criminal activities at Madigan's behest. The indictment accuses Madigan and McClain and other members of the conspiracy of unlawfully soliciting benefits from businesses and other private entities, and accuses Madigan of engaging in multiple

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The team of Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC (KEG) is pleased to announce that they were honored as “Medium Firm of the Year” at the annual ACEC Illinois 2022 Engineering Excellence Awards. Founded in 2006, the engineering and construction firm has grown from a 3-person operation in a small, shared office space in Belleville, Illinois to its impressive portfolio today of 9 offices in 4 states, more than 50 employees, and countless successful infrastructure projects throughout the Midwest. KEG President and Founder Geri E. Boyer, PE accepted the award alongside members of her team at the annual Engineering Excellence Awards, hosted by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Illinois. The event featured awards for projects throughout the State, as well as Firm of the Year Awards in three size categories: small, medium, and large. This was the inaugural year for the award. KEG was honored for its contributions to the success and growth of ACEC IL, its role i

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