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Our Love Story: The Couple: Nikki and Swish from Glen Carbon Date Met/Started Dating: April 1, 2012 Briefly Describe First Date: I went to a gathering with my father and met Swish. Without my knowledge, he jokingly told my father he would marry his daughter. My dad told him “yeah right, you're nowhere near her type,” which he was not. To play a joke on my dad, we met up at his house to go on a motorcycle ride. I fell in love. Ten years, two beautiful boys, and a mortgage later, we’re still just as much in love with each other. Date Married: February 1, 2022 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Taking our boys camping and boating with friends and family. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always be you. Relationships grow, surroundings change. Never stop saying I love you. Understand you may not agree all the time. Be each other’s friend every day. Love what you have and want always.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Corry & Hayley Wilton from Roxana Date Met/Started Dating: June 22, 2008 Briefly Describe First Date: Horseback Riding Date Married: September 28, 2013 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Riding motorcycles, ATVs, & trail riding in the jeep. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Be patient and don't ever think that leaving is the better option. The grass is greener where you water it!

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ST. LOUIS —The American Red Cross of Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas is offering safety tips ahead of the upcoming snow, ice, and frigid temperatures expected over the next few days. In addition, the Red Cross is coordinating with local emergency management officials and partners in preparation for potential local community needs. Heavy snowfall is predicted in portions of Missouri with ice accumulations and extremely cold temperatures, according to the National Weather Service. Snow and colder than usual temperatures are also expected in portions of Arkansas. Every year, hundreds of Americans are injured or killed by exposure to cold, vehicle accidents on wintry roads, and home fires caused by the improper use of heaters. American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas offers the following tips to stay safe: Assemble an emergency preparedness kit to ensure you and your family have enough bottled water, non-perishable food and other items to stay safe at home for a few days

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ST. LOUIS – On January 27, 2022, several federal charges were filed against John K. Low. The 38-year-old Chesterfield resident is accused of coercion and enticement of a minor, transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. According to the charging documents, on January 24, 2022, the Riley County Police Department, located in Manhattan, Kansas, received a report of a missing juvenile. The investigation revealed that the missing 15-year-old child left her residence without her cell phone. Her mother provided electronic devices to Riley County Police, who analyzed the devices for any information about her disappearance. The police department was able to locate conversations belonging to the missing female on a social media messaging application. Discovered in these conversations were plans between the victim and suspect which indicated the victim was to be picked up by the suspect, unbeknownst to her

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EAST ALTON-WOOD RIVER - EAWR Announces Academic Honor Rolls for First Semester. HIGH HONOR ROLL Seniors -- Jaren Benton Emmett Booker Tray’ona Breaziel Alexis Brigman Lucas Brown Clayton Bunt Grace Byron Leana Carr Lydia Davidson Addison Denton Dawson Dunse Kayla Ellison Elizabeth Feyerabend Nathanael Fisher Jameson Floyed Mackenzie Franklin Madilyn Fry Sabrina Fulkerson Elizabeth Gernon Morgan Gibbs David Goforth Elizabeth Goodnight Emily Hall Tyler Hall Jonathan Harms Aerowyn Harris Melaina Hickerson Niyah Johnson Nickolas Kelsay Chase Keshner Quinn Knight Drake Lane Kyle Malley Julian Marshall Nicholas Mason Noah Mason Caleb Maxwell Kendall May Clayton McCauley Marissa Meyer Jaymee Neathery Hannah Nelson Aaron Niemeyer Olivia Owens Linnsi Polewski Raven Pruitt Vance Puckett Valerie Quevreaux Riley Randolph Carson Reef Lydia Ruot Jason Shaw Jordan Sheets Reece Shelton Emily Shewmaker Riley Shook Ali Sidwell Hope Simmons Nathan Slimick Kage Squier Samantha Stockl Cayden Stone

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ST. LOUIS - Meteorologist Brad Charboneau said Monday the St. Louis area is expecting a large-scale winter storm to impact the region beginning today. He said rain will turn to freezing rain by Wednesday morning and sleet accumulation could be dangerous before snow hits. “The sleet and snow will impact travel throughout the area. A cold front will surge southward in the area for a period of 48 hours and in the meantime, a storm system will move up eastward and impact us with widespread participation.” Illinois Department of Transportation Operations Supervisor Joe Monroe said his staff will work 12-hour shifts during the storm. “Thursday morning looks to be the roughest of the three days, but there will probably be a lot of change between then,” he said. “We have had other challenges this winter, but so far our snow totals have been light.” Monroe stressed the snow totals will probably be vastly different throughout the region. Charboneau recommended

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COLLINSVILLE - Senior basketball player Ihzel Brown, a 6-1, 224-pounder, is one of the leaders for the Alton High team, and although the Redbirds have yet to win a game this year, Brown is one of the team's most important players and sets an example for the younger players on the team to follow. Brown was also a member of the Redbirds football team, so he is a key Alton athlete in the 2021-2022 school year. In two games played in the consolation bracket of the Prairie Farms Collinsville Holiday Classic Brown combined for 12 points a key in the Redbirds' first win. The Redbirds are now 4-17 overall but have continued to show improvement under coach Eric McCrary. For his efforts both on and off the court, Brown has been selected as the school's Auto Butler male Athlete of the Month. Brown sees himself as the team's leader, making sure the young players are doing what they're supposed to be doing and lending a helping hand in practice. "I am a leader," Brown said of what his key

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EAST ALTON – Joe Silkwood, former Mayor of East Alton, will announce his campaign to support law enforcement on what he describes as a platform to fight for working-class families of the 111th District for state representative on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Machinists Union Hall in East Alton. As Mayor of East Alton, Silkwood worked closely with local law enforcement to ensure they had the necessary resources to keep residents safe. Silkwood is ready to build a stronger Illinois and will stand with working-class families against right-to-work efforts. Silkwood will also work to expand job training opportunities and bring new economic development to the 111th District. WHO: Joe Silkwood, candidate for State Representative with local community leaders. WHAT: Joe Silkwood for State Representative campaign announcement. WHERE: Machinists Union Hall, 159 N. Shamrock E. Alton, IL 62024 WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 1 10 A.M.

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The Center Square – The first of several hearings was held Friday on the problems plaguing the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. State Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Oak Park, said the subject matter hearing would be held in the House Appropriations-Human Services Committee amid reported department shortcomings so lawmakers could “form holistic, long-term solutions.” Some lawmakers during the virtual hearing Friday said issues like children being kept in psychiatric facilities rather than being with families is alarming. The latest is the case of a 13-year-old boy who was held in emergency custody for months despite a judge’s order to move him to a more appropriate setting. Earlier this month, a Cook County judge cited DCFS Director Marc Smith for contempt for failing to relocate the boy to a therapeutic foster home. Now there is word that a particular emergency housing facility was the subject of 161 service calls to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s

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EDWARDSVILLE —Seventeen-year-old Aria Burnside is able to able to list “small business owner” and “entrepreneur” on her resume and starting last week she can call herself “ Madison County Made .” When the Edwardsville teen started baking two years ago, the furthest thing from her mind was opening a bakery. At the time, Burnside was struggling in high school, which led her mother, Charmian Aaron, to enroll her in homeschool classes online. Not only did Burnside’s grades improve, but she discovered a new talent — baking. “After I started home-school, I was always at home, so I just started baking,” Burnside said. “When my mom got home from work, I would be like, ‘Here, taste this.’ I started giving it to people at my church, and they encouraged me to start selling it.” Burnside’s mother helped launch the business — Aria’s Cookies & Confections — which began selling goods

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MANKATO - The Academic High Honor and Honor lists (Dean's lists) for the past fall semester at Minnesota State University, Mankato have been announced by interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Brian Martensen, and Delaney O'Donnell of Wood River, IL, has been named to the Honor List. Among 3,6,55 students, a total of 1,054 students qualified for the High Honor List by achieving a 4.0 straight "A" average, while 2.601 students earned a 3.5 to 3.99 average to qualify for the Honor List. To qualify for academic honors, undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours for the semester. For additional information, please visit theri website. Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,546 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 30 colleges and seven universities.

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PEORIA - Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 4 was requested by the Peoria Police Department to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving Peoria Police Officers. The incident occurred at 11:59 p.m. on January 30, 2022, at a location in the 1200 block of East McClure Street in Peoria, IL. Preliminary information indicates the officers were responding to a call of a suspicious person armed with a gun. When the officers arrived at the location, the officers made contact with a male subject who subsequently fled the scene. A foot pursuit ensued and there was an exchange of gunfire between the subject and the officers. No officers were struck by gunfire during the incident. The Illinois State Police was requested by the Peoria Police Department to investigate the use of force incident which occurred in Illinois. No additional information will be released at this time by ISP Zone 4. ISP Zone 4 Investigations is leading this open and on-goin

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JERSEYVILLE - Riverbend Axe Throwing will open its second location in mid-to-late February at 806 Tri-Point Lane in Jerseyville, along Route 16 across from Farm & Home. The new location will feature 11 axe throwing targets: four standard lanes with two targets per lane, and one triple lane with three targets for larger parties and events. It will also feature a bar serving local and domestic bottled and canned alcoholic beverages, pool and foosball tables, two dart boards (owner Dan Brynildsen said a dart league will be starting soon), and an outdoor area for games and food trucks. Brynildsen said he’s always had his eye on expanding, but a few things made him choose Jerseyville. “Looking at where our clientele is coming from, we saw that a lot of them are coming from up North, like Jerseyville and even further north,” Brynildsen said, adding that several Riverbend Axe Throwing League members are also from Jerseyville. “This summer, we had our mobile

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EDWARDSVILLE - As a first grade teacher, Cari Wencewicz quickly learned that her favorite part of the day was sitting at the reading table working with small groups of students to become better readers. It was that love of figuring out what they were struggling with and helping them grow that drew her to being a reading specialist. Wencewicz is in her 17th year of teaching, 16 of which have been in District #7. After spending eight years teaching first grade, she is in her ninth year as a K-2nd reading specialist. “Being a reading specialist allows me to focus all of my energy on one area,” she said. “I get to really zoom in on the reading process and find what works and doesn’t work for each student.” Wencewicz said her favorite thing about being a reading specialist is that is incredibly rewarding. “To know that I have helped hundreds of children unlock the reading code and go on to be successful students and adults is pretty wonderful.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Steven and Lauren from Godfrey Date Met/Started Dating: December 9, 2020 Briefly Describe First Date: St Louis Aquarium after he flew here from Los Angeles Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Watching Rams football, Eating Mexican food, Being with our kids Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always support each other. Communication is key in a happy relationship

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SPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will mark Black History Month with “Women of the Movement” creator Marissa Jo Cerrar, historian Tamika Nunley and the debut of a new theatrical presentation. The ALPLM also has digitized a rare interview with track-and-field legend Jesse Owens and will make all six hours of audio available to the public for the first time. February also includes Lincoln’s birthday. Admission to the museum will be free for everyone on Feb. 12. “Black history is American history, and it must be celebrated all year long. But February offers a chance to put an extra spotlight on the tragedies and triumphs of African Americans,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Shutt will interview Cerrar in a special online discussion on Feb. 17. Cerrar is the creator and writer of the mini-series “Women of the Movement,” which focused on

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Mayor David Goins and First Lady Sheila Goins of Alton Date Met/Started Dating: August 15, 1981 Briefly Describe First Date: David and I had our first official "outing" when he was home (Alton) for spring break from college. I was only a sophomore in high school. He took me to see the movie "Endless Love" at the Alton Cinema. I was a bit uncomfortable watching a LOVE movie with him, as I really wasn't feeling him in that way! lol I thought it was a bit presumptuous of him! In my mind, I thought...Endless Love? Really, dude? lol I guess he knew what the future would hold for us. Nonetheless, that was our first real date even though we were technically not dating! Date Married: June 16, 1984 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We love shopping! In fact, David loves shopping just as much as I do! We have a good time while out in the stores. We also enjoy spending time with our beautiful family. We have 3 adult children and 12 grandchildren!

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark accepted a plea of guilty from Ronald Scott on January 27, 2022, for knowingly robbing a commercial establishment and knowingly brandishing a firearm in furtherance of that crime. A grand jury in the Eastern District of Missouri previously indicted Scott in August 2020. Judge Clark set sentencing for May 10, 2022 . According to the plea agreement, on September 18, 2019, Scott and his co-defendant robbed the McDonald's Restaurant located at 1119 North Tucker, Saint Louis, Missouri, within the Eastern District of Missouri. Scott, a former employee from this McDonald’s location, brandished a pistol in commission of the robbery. Both suspects were wearing masks and one was wearing a grey backpack. Scott and his co-defendant left the McDonald's in a silver Chevrolet Impala. A few days after the armed robbery, the silver Chevrolet Impala was stopped by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers. Officers

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SPRINGFIELD – 1099-G tax forms are now available for claimants who received unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in 2021, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today. Claimants who collected UI benefits last year need the 1099-G tax form from IDES to complete their state and federal tax returns. Also called Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments, this form is necessary for individuals who received state or federal UI benefits. This includes claimants who received regular UI benefits and/or benefits under the expired federal pandemic relief programs, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Lost Wages Assistance (LWA), Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), and state Extended Benefits (EB). Claimants who opted to receive their 1099-G tax form electronically have received an email notification with instructions to access the form from

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EDWARDSVILLE – Town and Country Bank is pleased to announce that Clair Crider has been promoted to Mortgage Loan Originator in Edwardsville. Previously serving as a Mortgage Loan Assistant, Clair is eager to continue helping clients throughout the Metro East with all of their purchasing and refinancing needs. “We are so excited to see Clair grow and excel in her new role as our latest Mortgage Loan Originator. Her professional experience in mortgage servicing and sales will be instrumental to Town and Country Bank’s mortgage division and homebuyers alike. I know she has the expertise to build impactful relationships with customers, providing them with exceptional service when meeting their unique financial needs,” said Cass Wolfenberger, President and CEO of Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services. “I am here to make the home-buying or refinancing experience for customers as easy and hassle-free as possible. My knowledge of loan programs and available grant

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