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GRANITE CITY – GCS Credit Union kicks off their 2022 Jeans Program, Don’t Stop Donatin’, by raising $1,520 for the Madison County Child Advocacy Center. GCS Don’t Stop Donatin’ Jeans Program focuses on supporting our local counties. Each month, GCS employees will donate to an organization within the 18 counties that GCS serves. The Don’t Stop Donatin’ Jeans Program is funded by GCS employees who make monthly, monetary donations out of their own pockets to a local organization. By donating $15 or more to a specific organization, GCS employees are able to wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month. The Madison County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a resource for the brave children who are involved in abuse allegations. Through a confidential forensic interview, children are able to share their stories in a safe and supportive environment. CAC is dedicated to helping children and their families find hope and healing

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering’s Cougar Baja team achieved 7th place at this year’s Blizzard Baja hosted Saturday, Feb. 5 at Michigan Technology University. The president of the SIUE Baja team, senior Samuel Churchill, of Ottawa, together with teammates Matthew Buchholz (treasurer), Curtis Lake, and Nathan Buss (secretary) competed against athletes from across the country. This year’s edition had a total of 22 cars competing in dual events of hill climb and a four-hour endurance race where all the cars raced wheel to wheel. “We did well considering our resources,” Churchill shared. “We were up against stiff competition with Michigan schools known for having car manufacturers’ support. The most challenging aspect was the low temperature of around 10-15 degrees and wind. After about a half-hour we had to swap drivers because it was so cold.” “The team worked together well and

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Public Works announced on Wednesday morning it will be shutting down the water main in the 100 block of North Main Street at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday today to make emergency repairs. "At this time, we anticipate the repairs will take an hour and service will be restored upon completion of the repairs," Edwardsville Public Works Department said. "A boil order will be in effect at the time of the shutdown for the east side of North Main Street in the 100 block, and 101 and 103 North Main Street." For updates regarding the boil order, please visit: www.cityofedwardsville.com . Contact the Edwardsville Public Works at (618) 692-7535 with any questions.

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 has canceled its Special Meetings of the Board of Education on Thursday, Feb. 17, and Friday, Feb. 18. The next scheduled GCSD9 Board Meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at the James J. Greenwald Administration Building. The meeting will be streamed live on the GCSD9 Facebook page: facebook.com/GCSD9.net. For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net .

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ROLLA, Mo. - Missouri University of Science and Technology announces the names of students who made the honor list for the Fall 2021 semester. To be included on the honor list, students must have carried a minimum of 12 hours and had grade point averages of 3.2 or above out of a possible 4.0. Alton, Illinois 62002, Reiley Clark, engineering, sophomore 62002, Claire Pohlman, environmental engineering, senior Bethalto, Illinois 62010, Hannah Butkovich, engineering, sophomore 62010, Kaitlyn Kappler, chemical engineering, senior Edwardsville, Illinois 62025, Lauren Coulter, civil engineering, senior 62025, Andreas Ellinas, technical communication, junior 62025, Jessica Glenn, mining engineering, sophomore 62025, Luke Goeckner, computer science, senior 62025, Logan Mills, computer engineering, junior 62025, Katelynne Roberts, engineering, sophomore 62025, Andre Wilke, mechanical engineering, sophomore Glen Carbon, Illinois 62034, Anna Burke, civil

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville School District 7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton released information today that after working with legal counsel, the 9-0 Joint Committee on Administrative Rules vote of 9-0 means because these emergency rules have expired, schools can only require employee vaccinations/testing, student and employee masking, and exclusion of students and employees (positive or close contacts) from school if there is a court order or an order from the local health department. "Earlier today, we learned of an action from the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) which voted 9-0 to reject a reintroduction of emergency rules for COVID-19 protocols in schools which include masking, testing, and exclusion. JCAR is not connected to the Illinois Appellate Court process, which we are still awaiting a ruling from," he said on Tuesday. "As a district, we have a duty to be compliant with all state and federal mandates and follow the guidance of health care professionals

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ALTON - Alton School District Superintendent Kristie Baumgartner provided details Wednesday morning of a Tuesday night decision by the School Board. Dr. Baumgartner said the board voted 7-0 Tuesday night in a meeting to move from mask required, but "strongly recommended." "Late this afternoon, the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted 9-0 to reject the extension of the Illinois emergency regulations for COVID-19 mitigations in schools," she explained. "These mitigations include masking for students and staff, testing requirements for staff, and exclusion for close contacts. Because the emergency regulations are now expired, student and staff mask requirements, employee vaccination/testing requirements and exclusion of close contacts can only occur through a court order or an order from the Madison County Health Department. "Therefore, beginning on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, masks will now be strongly recommended for our students and staff, but not required,

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On Feb. 14, sweethearts of all ages exchanged cards, flowers, candy, and more lavish gifts in the name of St. Valentine. But as a historian of Christianity , I can tell you that at the root of our modern holiday is a beautiful fiction. St. Valentine was no lover or patron of love. Valentine’s Day, in fact, originated as a liturgical feast to celebrate the decapitation of a third-century Christian martyr, or perhaps two. So, how did we get from beheading to betrothing on Valentine’s Day? Early Origins of St. Valentine Ancient sources reveal that there were several St. Valentines who died on Feb. 14. Two of them were executed during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus in 269-270 A.D., at a time when persecution of Christians was common. How do we know this? Because, an order of Belgian monks spent three centuries collecting evidence for the lives of saints from manuscript archives around the known world. They were called Bollandists after Jean Bolland,

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SPRINGFIELD - The bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted today to block the re-implementation of Governor JB Pritzker’s mask mandate for K-12 schools in Illinois. According to State Representative Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg), “As it stands today, the statewide school mask mandate is no longer in place following support from both republican and democrat lawmakers serving on JCAR. Governor Pritzker’s go it alone approach has caused chaos across our state. When a legislative body had the opportunity to decide, they voted to suspend the governor’s school mask mandate.” Governor Pritzker’s emergency rule on COVID mitigations for Illinois schools expired on Sunday, February 13. Prompting the Pritzker administration to immediately re-file the rule on Monday, putting it back into effect unless JCAR voted affirmatively to block it with a minimum of 8 members on the 12-member committee. Nine members voted to suspend the Governor’s

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ST. LOUIS – The Little River Band makes a triumphant return to River City Casino & Hotel on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Showtime is 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets are $85, $65, $55, $45 and $35. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 18 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the River City Casino & Hotel box office. You must be 21 and older to attend. The Eagles founding member, the late Glenn Frey, knew what he was saying when he dubbed Little River Band “the best singing band in the world.” The current lineup of LRB takes that accolade to heart each and every time they perform. Through the ‘70s and ‘80s, LRB enjoyed huge chart success with multi-platinum albums and chart topping hits such as “Reminiscing,” “Cool Change,” “Lonesome Loser,” “The Night Owls,” “Take It Easy On Me,” “Help Is on Its Way,” “Happy Anniversary,” “We

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Lottery today announced outstanding results for the first six months of fiscal year 2022, including sales of $1.7 billion, to benefit the State’s Common School Fund. Two-thirds of Illinois adults now play the Illinois Lottery, which is up from half just a few years ago, with an expanded retail network and an improved digital offering attracting new players. “The Illinois Lottery is a valuable state asset, generating essential revenue for the Common School Fund and good causes across the great State of Illinois,” said Acting Illinois Lottery Director, Harold Mays. “Lottery proceeds directly support K-12 education and causes such as breast cancer awareness, Alzheimer's support, and homelessness prevention. A successful first half-year allows us to continue to deliver for the State.” During the first half of the fiscal year, a new Monday night Powerball draw was launched, the Lottery expanded its Fast Play game in retail

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East Alton Elementary, Wood River-Hartford District, the Alton School District, Edwardsville School District, and Granite City School District now are mask optional. The schools made decisions on Tuesday to drop mask requirements. The decision comes after the recent Sangamon County judge’s decision overturning the Governor Pritzker mask mandate and the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted to reject reintroduce of emergency rules for COVID-19 protocols. Granite City Superintendent Stephanie Cann made this statement on Tuesday night: "This afternoon action from the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted 9-0 to reject a reintroduction of emergency rules for COVID-19 protocols in schools which include masking, testing, and exclusion. This Illinois legislative body is independent of the Illinois judicial Appellate Court, from whom we are still awaiting a ruling on the previous court cases involving the Governor’s mask mandates. "Our lega

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GREENVILLE - The Bond County State’s Attorney’s Office has charged Demarcus C. Gurlly, a 28-year-old male from Greenville, IL with First Degree Murder (Class X Felony) and Obstructing Justice (Class 4 Felony) in reference to a homicide that occurred on February 10, 2022 in Greenville, Bond County. On February 10, 2022 at approximately 7:24 p.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) District 11 and ISP Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 agents responded to the 600 block of E. South Street in Greenville, IL where a 37-year-old female from Greenville was found deceased after a reported shooting. Information was received that moments before the homicide, a red Dodge Challenger, was believed to be involved in a separate shooting one block south of the homicide, near the 600 block of Vine Street. The red Dodge Challenger fled the scene. At approximately 9:06 p.m., a vehicle matching the description of the red Dodge Challenger was seen in Wood River, IL. The vehicle failed

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SOUTH ROXANA - The village has filed suit in circuit court asking for permission to demolish an allegedly abandoned and dangerous house at 411 Rose Avenue. An inspector stated in a court document that the home has, exposed wood, rotted frames around the window, boarded up doorways that have been open and unsecured and burned siding on a detached garage. “The structure provides enticement for children, material for scavengers and vagrants and attracts and harbors unsafe health conditions by enticing rodents,” a statement from the village alleges. Authorities claim the property has been in a deteriorated state for several years. The property has been without utility services since January 2020. Officials claim they have attempted to contact the owners, TRI Brothers, LLC of Miami, but to no avail. The cost of the demolition and cleanup would be recoverable from the owners, according to the suit.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Joesid C. Gresham, 39, of Granite City, was charged with felony retail theft for allegedly stealing a Wet Brush Detangling Comb from the CVS store. The case was charged as a class 4 felony because the suspect was convicted of the same charge on April 21. The alleged crime occurred on Monday; the charge was filed Tuesday. Bail was set at $10,000. The item is available on the Internet for $5.99. WOOD RIVER - James R. Edwards, 35, of the first block of Beach Avenue, Wood River, was charged Tuesday with domestic battery, unlawful restraint, and unlawful violation of an order of protection. He allegedly pulled a female victim’s hair and gouged her eye on Monday after having been convicted of the same offense on Dec. 23. He was also accused of taking keys from the victim, preventing her from leaving the home. The victim was protected by an order of protection that was served on Oct. 21. EAST ALTON - Jennifer D. Howard, 33, of the 200 block of Kingshighway, East Alton,

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Gori Law Firm is proud to announce two of the firm’s attorneys were honored with 2022 Super Lawyers distinctions. Managing Partner Sara Salger was selected to the 2022 Illinois Rising Stars list, and Partner Bob Marcus was selected to the 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers list. The lists were published by Super Lawyers on January 28 of this year. Super Lawyers is a rating service that recognizes outstanding lawyers in more than 70 practice areas. Individuals that receive Super Lawyers distinctions have achieved high levels of peer recognition and professional success within their areas of practice. Only five percent of attorneys in Illinois are named Super Lawyers, while less than 3 percent of attorneys are named Rising Stars. Salger and Marcus are two of the many attorneys over the years from The Gori Law Firm to be recognized as Super Lawyers. “It’s an honor to once again be recognized for our work, both as individuals and as a firm,” sai

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Senate Republican leader Sue Rezin, R-Morris, made a statement today about the Joint Committee of Administrative Rules (JCAR) successful vote that suspends the Pritzker Administration's attempt to reissue emergency rules that would have required school districts to enforce the Governor's Mask Mandate, despite the recent court ruling. The JCAR voted 9-0-2 to block the emergency rules and it was with a bipartisan vote. Sen. Rezin said: "Today, the Joint Committee of Administrative Rules made it clear that it would not accept the Governor's attempts to go above a court ruling made by a co-equal branch of government. "Instead of allowing our judicial system to work through its process, the Governor tried to double down on his unilateral approach to COVID-19 mitigation by reissuing the same exact rules the Sangamon County judge nullified earlier this month. This move was both bad government and dangerous to the rule of law as it ignored the court's ruling on due process."

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BETHALTO/COLLINSVILLE - Bethalto School District 8 and Collinsville School District 10 made decisions at board meetings on Monday night to go mask optional. Bethalto School Board President Todd Meiser said the board had to think "logically" about the decision. Meiser also made a statement that it was good to get community feedback, but also the staff and immunocompromised students had to be taken into consideration in a change. Bethalto School District Superintendent Jill Griffin told parents in a letter that she hopes to work together with everyone with the decision and also mentioned some students have health conditions that may require special circumstances. She also said masks will be required on school buses. The mandatory testing for unvaccinated staff also has stopped at Bethalto District 8. A Sangamon County Judge last week ruled the mask mandate is unconstitutional and should be dropped. Both Bethalto and Collinsville adopted the stance that the Center for Disease (CDC)

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The upcoming East Alton and Jerseyville locations of Germania Brew Haus will open slightly later than expected. Owner Jared Brynildsen said the recent winter storm complicated things for Ameren, who have been trying to get the power connected. “We are now scheduled to softly open this Friday and social media posts will be released soon, if not today,” Brynildsen said. This Friday is February 18, the location’s new soft opening date. Brynildsen also said a new outdoor seating development is underway for the East Alton location. “We are working with the owners and management of East Gate Plaza on an outdoor insulated seating area for opening this spring,” Brynildsen said. Brynildsen said the East Alton location’s delay will also impact the opening of the Jerseyville location. In addition to winter storm delays, Germania is still a small business with a limited number of training staff, emphasizing their need to space out the locations’

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GREENVILLE - A new agreement between Greenville University and the Regional Office of Education #3 gives employees of the ROE #3 region a discount for online courses and opens opportunities for GU students. GU values partnerships, especially those that benefit all involved. That value for building partnerships brought about this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GU and the ROE #3. In addition to offering educational opportunities to employees of the ROE #3 region, the MOU also brings the potential of collaboration with schools in the ROE #3 region to provide opportunities for GU students pursuing careers in education. “I think it’s a mutually advantageous opportunity,” says Shaila Wong, GU’s account executive. “We get to help their workforce by supporting their educational needs and strengthen GU’s partnerships in the region.” The Regional Office of Education #3 serves Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette, and Montgomery counties

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