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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White recognized African American Heritage Month with a video honoring three of the state's leaders, including the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson, and Apostolic Church of God in Chicago Pastor Dr. Byron Brazier. Secretary White honored the following individuals: Illinois Department of Public Health Dr. Ngozi Ezike the first African American Director of the Department of Public Health in its more than 140-year history received the Distinguished Leadership Award . She has helped lead Illinois to reach a 70% vaccination rate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson, the fifth Illinois Poet Laureate, received the Excellence in Arts Award . She joins the list of prestigious authors, including Carl Sandburg and Gwendolyn Brooks. Apostolic Church of God Pastor Dr. Byron Brazier received the Excellence in Community Service Award

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community Unit School District #9 has announced its Young Authors winners for the 2021-22 school year. Each spring the Madison County Regional Office of Education recognizes Young Authors winners in grades K-8 from Madison County schools at a county-wide event. Students have the opportunity to share their books with each other, participate in reading/writing centric activities, and be entertained by a local author, storyteller, or performer. The 31st annual Madison County Young Authors Conference will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Edwardsville High School. Maryville Elementary School Principal Mark Lull is GCSD9's coordinator. Prather Sherine Bandela Piper Boyd Lincoln Conway Cordelia Carter Ariannah Plummer Khiry Randolph Paris Taylor Emersyn Williams Maryville 1st & 2nd Bria Daniels - 2nd Grade Lehanna Robinson - 2nd Grade Wilson 1st & 2nd Jaxon Jonas - 2nd Grade Sophia Villa - 2nd Grade Joseph Willaredt - 1st

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ALTON - Trenton A. Robertson, 31, of Belleville, is facing his fifth charge of domestic battery after pushing a female household member to the ground. He allegedly battered the woman on Feb. 27 after having been convicted of the same offense four times in 2019. Bail was set at $75,000. In November 2019, he was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for domestic battery. EDWARDSVILLE - Shelley J. Meyers, 37, is charged with aggravated battery. She allegedly hit and kicked a police officer on Feb. 25. The charge was Monday. Bail was set at $20,000. EAST ALTON - Kaitlyn M. Lochmann, 31, of Florissant, Mo., was charged Monday with unlawful possession of methamphetamine. She allegedly possessed less than five grams of the drug on Sunday. Bail was set at $15,000. WOOD RIVER - Robby J. Layton, 43, of the 700 block of Wood River Avenue, Wood River, was charged with domestic battery. He allegedly grabbed a minor male on Sunday after having been convicte

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CHICAGO - Today Governor JB Pritzker announced the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Dr. Ngozi Ezike is leaving the agency after three years of service. To celebrate Dr. Ezike's outstanding tenure and heroic service, the governor issued a proclamation establishing today, March 1, 2022, as #DrEzikeDay. Amaal Tokars, PhD., who is currently the Assistant Director of IDPH will serve as interim director while a nationwide search is conducted to find a permanent replacement. Dr. Ezike's last day will be March 14, 2022. "Dr. Ngozi Ezike has led the Illinois Department of Public Health for over three years, her tenure defined not only by her ability to provide the latest expertise and data, but also her empathy and compassion becoming a beacon of stability for millions during a time of tremendous uncertainty," said Governor JB Pritzker. "No number of sleepless nights and endless days could wear down her commitment to think first and foremost of Illinois most vulnerable.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Town and Country Bank is pleased to welcome Shelley Manthei to its growing mortgage lending team in Edwardsville. As a Mortgage Loan Originator, Manthei will assist clients throughout the Metro East with finding the perfect mortgage solutions that meet their distinct purchasing and refinancing needs. “We are so happy to have Shelley join our expanding mortgage team as a Mortgage Loan Originator based out of our Edwardsville location. Her wealth of experience in mortgage origination and extensive knowledge of unique programs and grants will be a true asset to homebuyers and our mortgage division. I believe her ability to develop deep relationships with homebuyers as well as efficiently work with all levels of our support staff will provide her clients with an exceptional mortgage experience throughout the loan process,” said Cass Wolfenberger, President and CEO of Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services. “I find that communication is the key elemen

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Ameren Illinois broke ground today on a $10.2 million solar energy facility in East St. Louis. The 2.5 megawatt East St. Louis Solar Energy Center will produce enough electricity to power 500 homes, while providing an economic boost to the region. It is the first power generation facility owned and operated by Ameren Illinois in the last 25 years. "With this project, we are harnessing opportunity and hope for the future," said Richard J. Mark, Chairman and President, Ameren Illinois. "For too long, communities like East St. Louis have been on the sidelines while others have reaped the rewards. Today, we're planting a seed of renewal that will put East St. Louis at the center of the clean energy revolution." The facility will be constructed on a 17-acre site on State Street across from East St. Louis Sr. High School. It will be comprised of more than 5,700 solar panels which will harness energy from the sun and feed the energy onto Ameren Illinois' local grid.

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WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Police Department has released information that the missing 15-year-old runaway has come home. The boy was reported safe and sound, police said. The missing report to Wood River Police came in at 3 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2022. The Wood River Police thanked everyone for their help and cooperation after the youth’s missing report.

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SANGAMON COUNTY - On March 7, Illinois residents will have the opportunity to learn about the risks faced by property owners and rural communities along the proposed path of the Navigator CO2 Pipeline. Navigator CO2 Ventures , a Texas-based company with experience in the development of oil pipelines, wants to transport high-pressure, liquified CO2 from industry clients across South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa to a predetermined location in Christian County, Illinois. The proposed pipeline will pass through 13 Illinois counties , including Hancock, Adams, McDonough, Henry, Knox, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown, Pike, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, and Christian. The 1,300-mile-long CO2 pipeline is among the first of many expected to be proposed across the Midwest as part of a developing technology called carbon capture and storage. Despite very little public education on the proposed pipeline, representatives from Navigator CO2 Ventures will soon approach landowners in the path of the

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SPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is launching a new “Abe for All” initiative to improve access, starting with special services March 3 for World Hearing Day. The museum will offer sign language interpreters for its theatrical presentations during the event, which runs 4-7 p.m. Museum staff, volunteers, and interpreters will wear clear face shields instead of masks, so speech reading is easier. Exhibits will be enhanced with QR codes and monitors to share written information. Admission is free and anyone is welcome to attend, but the goal is to gather feedback from the Deaf community on how to improve the experience for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. Guests will have a chance to share their thoughts in surveys during their visit. “The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is proud to share the story of America’s greatest president. We want every person to fully appreciate his legacy, and that means

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WASHINGTON, D.C.– Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Armed Services Committee (SASC) and a Purple Heart recipient who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces, announced that she will bring the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard Major General Rich Neely as her virtual guest to tonight’s State of the Union address. As the Commander of the Illinois National Guard (ILNG), Major General Neely is responsible for the critical role the ILNG plays in helping train troops in places like Ukraine and Poland. “I’m honored to have General Neely as my virtual guest for this year’s State of the Union,” Duckworth said. “As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine escalates, the role of the Illinois National Guard remains critical for the region, which I know is so important to many Polish and Ukrainian Americans in our state. The Illinois National Guard’s State Partnership Program

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LITCHFIELD - Illinois State Police (ISP) District 18 Commander, Mark Gillock, announces the ISP will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Jersey County and Macoupin County during the month of March. These OREP details allow the ISP to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws. Illinois law requires all vehicle occupants (front seat and rear seat) to be buckled up! Seat belts are still one of the most effective safety devices, estimated to save nearly 14,000 lives each year. Half of vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes are not properly restrained. The objective of the program is to increase occupant compliance through education, child safety seat inspections, and enforcement.

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WESTMONT – Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery issued this statement following Governor Pritzker's executive order lifting required masking in schools: “We are grateful for Governor Pritzker’s leadership throughout the pandemic ensuring that science, not politics, has informed guidance. It has been a long two years, but there is finally light at the end of the COVID tunnel. “We welcome this new guidance for a safe off-ramp from universal masking in schools. The CDC’s new guidelines set us on a path to a new normal in schools. By using an analysis of hospitalizations in addition to community transmission, school districts, in collaboration with educators, staff, and families, can decide when to ease mask requirements. “Our sole priority since the start of this pandemic has been to protect students, teachers and staff, and their families by following the proper mitigations. Schools have remained open because of the implementation

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GLEN CARBON – Now more than ever, we’re aware of how much we rely on the care of our communities. This year, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is happy to announce our Hometown Heroes program where our local heroes can be the recipients of delicious Girl Scout Cookies. Through Hometown Heroes, local Girl Scouts chose organizations to celebrate with the gift of girl Scout Cookies. These special groups include hospital workers, first responders, veterans, school staff, food banks, and others who are out making a difference every day. Hometown Heroes gives customers the opportunity to support their local Girl Scouts as well as local heroes. “Through Hometown Heroes, customers can purchase Girl Scout Cookies for those who give so much to the people in our communities – like firefighters, nursing homes, and police officers,” said Katie Grayling, Senior Manager of Product Programs. “Girl Scouts are known for giving back to their communities, and we’re

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is hosting three Seed Swaps in partnership with local businesses and organizations: Old Bakery Beer Company , the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) , and The Lodge Bar at Lovejoy . Join Three Rivers Project staff, our partners, and fellow farmers and gardeners while swapping or sharing your quality seeds, cuttings, and bulbs. These community events are free to attend and all are welcome. Join us in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the spring gardening season! The first seed swap event will be held at the Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton on Saturday, March 5 from 11:30 to 2:00pm. Masks must be worn to attend this indoor event. To register for the Seed Swap at Old Bakery Beer Company, go to sc.org/OBBCseedswap . The second seed swap will be held outside at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) on Saturday, March 26 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. To register for

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MARYVILLE - The Auxiliary of Anderson Hospital and the Anderson Hospital Medical Staff are offering $1,000 scholarships to students who are enrolled in health care related fields of study. Students must be legal residents of the State of Illinois and must attend an accredited school, although it need not be an Illinois institution. Winners will be announced by July 2022. Scholarship application packets contain information for both scholarship opportunities. The scholarship applications are due by June 4, 2022. Applications are available through the financial aid/counseling departments of local academic institutions. They can also be found at the Anderson Hospital switchboard, gift shop and Physician's Office Building reception desk. Applications can also be downloaded from the hospital's website at andersonhospital.org . In addition, interested individuals may contact Cheryl Pace, Auxiliary Scholarship Chairperson, 6800 State Route 162, Maryville, IL 62062.

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CARLINVILLE – Blackburn College has received 2021 Tree Campus Higher Education® recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. With a long history of leading in sustainability, Blackburn is currently the only Illinois college or university in the St. Louis region to be named a Tree Campus USA. Blackburn first received this honor in 2013 and has been annually recognized since 2018. The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Blackburn College achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning project. Nick McKorkle, Grounds Supervisor at the College, said he was honored to receive

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ST. LOUIS — Red Cross Disaster and Recruitment volunteer, Dustin Wisnasky, states, “I volunteer to be the light in a scene of dark time… to be the positive during a negative moment, and to bring help to those in need.” In March, the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas is honoring the people who make its mission possible every day during its annual Red Cross Month celebration — a national tradition started nearly 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first national Red Cross Month proclamation recognizing those who give back through the American Red Cross. Each U.S. president has issued a proclamation ever since. “When emergencies strike, our community rallies together to help families and individuals when it matters most,” said Pete Wyatt, Regional Executive of the Missouri Arkansas Region. “We honor this dedication during our Red Cross Month celebration, and we invite everyone to turn their compassion int

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ST. LOUIS — The Grow Solar St. Louis and Grow Solar Metro East programs have come to an end for the year. The limited-time program gives people access to solar education and competitive prices for solar installations on residential and commercial properties through volume purchasing. Through a competitive selection process, a local advisory committee chose St. Louis-based StraightUp Solar as the program’s solar installer. As a result of these programs, 56 households in the Metro-St.Louis region are on their way to getting clean solar energy to help meet their daily energy needs in their homes and on their properties. Grow Solar, an initiative of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), helps make navigating the solar industry more affordable for individuals with its limited-time group buy discount program. The program is built on the belief that communities are stronger when they’re composed of informed citizens and that it’s important for each individua

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BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions hosted its 9 th annual Heart & Soul Gala, presented by Federico Kia, virtually on February 5, 2022. Caritas Family Solutions raised more than $150,000. The gala serves as the nonprofit’s largest fundraising event, supporting its mission of strengthening the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes, and strong communities. The agency’s services include foster care, pregnancy care for women experiencing homelessness, adoption, counseling and independent living for adults with disabilities among other service lines. This year’s one-hour production was emceed by WSIL-TV’s Brooke Schlyer and included a silent auction, engaging videos about Caritas’ mission, as well as special appearances from local celebrities such as KSDK’s Rene Knott. Caritas Family Solutions CEO Gary Huelsmann said their goal is to raise awareness about all of

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fair is excited to announce the first six acts scheduled to perform on the Illinois Lottery Grandstand stage during the upcoming 2022 Illinois State Fair. From Grammy Award-winning artists in country, pop and reggae to rock royalty, this year’s lineup has something for everyone. Fairgoers can start planning their summer concert adventures when tickets go on sale Friday, March 11th. Multi-Platinum-selling, award-winning hitmaker Sam Hunt will kick off the first weekend of the fair on Friday, August 12. Hunt’s sophomore album SOUTHSIDE debuted to critical acclaim and was one of the top country albums of 2020 landing at number one on the Billboard country albums chart. Hunt is known for bridging multiple genres with powerhouse collaborations with artist that include Carrie Underwood (“Heartbeat”), Breland (“My Truck”), Sasha Alex Sloan (“When Was It Over”) and Ingrid Andress (“Wishful

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