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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul and District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine, both Haitian-Americans, today urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and protect U.S. residents from being forced to return to dangerous, potentially life-threatening conditions. “As the proud son of Haitian immigrants, one of whom was a community doctor, I can attest to the importance of the contributions Haitian immigrants make to our communities,” said Raoul. “Conditions in Haiti have deteriorated due to governmental instability, public health concerns and violence. I am proud to join my friend and colleague Karl Racine to urge the Department of Homeland Security to redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status. Haitian immigrants have risked their lives to escape those dangers, and I will continue to advocate on their behalf so they are not forced to return to life-threatening conditions.” Feder

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GRANITE CITY - Juniors Julian Hartin and Emily Sykes of Granite City High School were selected as Granite City Rotary Club Students of the Month for November. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree will receive a framed certificate and a gift card, and will be recognized at a future Granite City Rotary Club Meeting. JULIAN HARTIN Member of Boys Volleyball Team .. Secondary Honors ... Teachers Choice Award ... Most Valuable Builder and Rookie Award (Robotics) ... Science Office worker and MW Volunteer ... Conducted Marching Warriors at Illinois Band Championships ... Member of Robotics Club and Varsity Club ... Son of Matthew Hartin. EMILY SYKES Five-sport student-athlete: Volleyball, Basketball, Swimming, Softball and Track ... Placed third in shot put at 2022 IHSA Class 3A Indoor Meet and seventh in Class 3

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WOOD RIVER - Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Shell of the Month” program at Roxana High School. Two students from each grade level are selected each month by members of RHS faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a “Shell of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. September Shell of the Month winners are: Senior- Gabrielle Woodruff Juniors- Joe Whetzel & Tanner Hansberger Sophomores- Andruw Ellis Freshman- Anthony Hardin October Shell of the Month winners are: Senior- Daymon Clay Juniors- Grace Ray Sophomores- Alexis Chamberlain Freshman- Alexa Zeller November Shell of the Month winners are: Senior- Riley Doyle Juniors- Donavan Herrin Sophomores- Jordan Harrop Freshman- Ethan Weigler Congratulations to all the recipients. Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over

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JERSEYVILLE - Two Jersey Community High School seniors and twin brothers - Jack and Bernie Dohrn - finished creating a new “Maker Space” in the JCHS library in October. The space already includes lots of equipment for arts and crafts, and there’s more on the way for students and teachers to use in the future. Digital Coach Melanie Fessler, who helped coordinate this project, said it’s a space for students to “be creative” and use equipment from classes in the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program that they might not otherwise be able to use. “It’s a place where students can go and be creative or maybe de-stress and do things when they have a little bit of extra time,” Fessler said. “We have some amazing things going on in our CTE here at the High School - like we have 3D printing and we have Auto, but not all kids can take all of those classes, so it’s a place where maybe you could do some of

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying the suspect in the photos shown here. St. Louis County Police said at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2022, the suspect in the attached photos is believed to have carjacked an individual with a white Toyota Prius at the Circle K located at 5253 Mattis Road. The suspect was armed, police said. Contact St. Louis County Police Criminal Investigations - 314-615-5400 or the Anonymous Tips Line - 1-866-371-TIPS(8477) with any information.

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Dan McLaughlin is in the news today with his third DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) offense. He was arrested Sunday night at a traffic stop after calls about a suspicious vehicle to the Creve Coeur Police Department. McLaughlin will face a felony charge for a "persistent offender" DWI offense, police said. The vehicle McLaughlin was driving was located by authorities traveling eastbound on Ladue Road at Interstate 270. Police followed McLaughlin’s vehicle northbound on I-270 and determined there were clues he was driving impaired. He was arrested and taken into St. Louis County Justice Center on a $25,000, cash-only bond, authorities said. Authorities also said there were no reports of injuries or property damage linked to the police investigation. McLaughlin is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 7, 2023.

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EDWARDSVILLE - This year’s highly anticipated Junior Service Club of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon (JSC) Holiday House Tour presented by Country Financial is full of holiday cheer. This popular and exciting event will showcase seven (7) beautifully decorated homes in the District 7 community for the live tour and an exclusive look at additional homes for the virtual portion of the tour. Only one ticket is needed for admission to both the live and virtual tours! The live tour will begin Sunday, Dec. 11th from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Ticket holders will be able to access the virtual tour from the comfort of their own homes beginning Sunday evening, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 18. The virtual tour can be viewed multiple times and at the convenience of the ticket holder’s schedule during the event dates. Ticket information can be found at http://www.edglenjuniorservice.org/holiday-house-tour.html . Check-in and receive your wristband for the live tour at our welcome receptio

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville will observe a moment of silence at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, to reflect and remember the victims of the December 10, 2021, tornado tragedy. Mayor Art Risavy will lead the City Council and audience in the moment of silence as the toll of the storm continues to reverberate in the hearts and minds of all in the City of Edwardsville. “The loss and pain suffered as a result of the tornado have been profound,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “We will continue to honor, remember and pray for all those affected.” One year ago this week, a powerful tornado struck the City of Edwardsville. Six lives were lost after a tornado directly hit a warehouse operated by Amazon in the Gateway Commerce Center. The tornado was part of a storm system that tore a path of destruction in and around the City and region. Those who died in the tragedy in Edwardsville were: Clayton Cope, of Alton; Kevin Dickey, of Carlyle;

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ST. LOUIS - Today, the City of St. Louis announced a list of finalists for St. Louis’ next police chief. Residents will have the opportunity to hear from the finalists at tomorrow’s Police Chief Town Hall. The City has expanded this town hall to include four candidates to offer the public a more robust opportunity to hear from top voices. “By bringing St. Louisans into the selection process, we are putting the public back in public safety,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “I look forward to hearing more from each of the finalists about their vision to keep St. Louis safe for our families and visitors.” Biographies and headshots are attached and posted on the city’s website . Finalists include: Interim Police Commissioner Michael Sack, St. Louis, MO Chief Larry Boone, Norfolk, VA Chief Robert Tracy, Wilmington, DE Deputy Chief Melron Kelly, Columbia, SC Tomorrow, December 6, the City of St. Louis will host a public town hall with four

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ST. LOUIS – For the 111th years, the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association (StLCCA) has given the gift of cheer and goodwill to our neighbors, and this year they have a very special gift in store… In addition to their annual caroling efforts by volunteer carolers all around the city, The St. Louis Christmas Carols Association, in partnership with the Missouri History Museum, will present a free holiday concert, Christmas In St. Louis , featuring renowned singer Erin Bode, radio personality Mark Klose, the Lesters, and many more. There will be music and comedy, and the audience will be invited to sing along with some of their favorite Christmas songs. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to come early as seating is first-come, first-served. The show will take place on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 6:30 pm in the Museum's Lee Auditorium. The show was inspired by the StLCCA’s 1977 vinyl album of the same title, which featured local dignitaries and performers

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CHICAGO, December 5, 2022 – Christmas has come early for three lucky Illinois Lottery players. That’s because they’re each holding a Powerball ticket worth $200,000. The winning tickets matched four numbers and the Powerball, plus they added the game’s ‘Power Play’ feature to win $200,000 each for the Saturday, December 3 drawing. The winning numbers were: 6-13-33-36-37 and the Powerball 7. The lucky players purchased their winning Powerball tickets from Tony’s Fresh Market in Chicago, Speedway in Hickory Hills and on the Illinois Lottery’s website. For selling the winning tickets, the retailers will receive a bonus of $2,000 each, one percent of the prize amount. In total, nearly 17,000 winning tickets were sold, and nearly $740,000 in prizes were won in Saturday evening’s Powerball drawing. Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw in which to claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages all lucky

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SPRINGFIELD - Federal REAL ID Deadline Extended to May 7, 2025, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the federal REAL ID deadline an additional two years, from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025. With this extension, current standard Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports for domestic air travel until May 7, 2025. Illinoisans interested in applying for a REAL ID are encouraged to visit REALID.ilsos.gov and use the interactive document checklist. This checklist is designed to help ensure REAL ID applicants gather all the documents required by the federal government to obtain a REAL ID before visiting a Driver Services facility. First-time REAL ID applicants are required by DHS to visit a Driver Services facility in person. Not everyone needs a REAL ID, and in Illinois, the Secretary of State’s office gives Illinoisans a choice. Illinoisans who do not fly

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced criminal charges against a Cook County man over the alleged theft of more than $800,000 in retail goods. The charges are the result of an investigation by Raoul’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force that recovered thousands of stolen items at several storage units in Chicago in December 2021. Raoul’s office charged Mahdi Alhaw, 31, of Justice, Illinois, with eight counts of non-probationable Class 1 felony theft, each punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and four counts of Class 1 probationable felony theft, each punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Alhaw’s bond was set at $25,000, and his next court date is scheduled for January 30. “Organized retail crime is a multibillion dollar per year industry, but more important than the financial cost is the danger organized retail crime poses to our communities. These crimes are committed by sophisticated criminal organizations that are involved in drug and

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ALTON – The YWCA Southwestern Illinois is pleased to announce a free New Book Giveaway during the month of December. YWCA has 80 plus titles of books with multiple copies of each title. The majority of the books are hard back. All books are in excellent condition and are suitable for holiday gift-giving. YWCA was gifted 30,000 pounds of brand new books from Dr. Mary Mason of the Little Medical School and Dr. Genie’s Kids Foundation. Dr. Mary Mason, a native Altonian, received the books from the Molina Foundation “is thrilled to pass on these books to my home community. The books include a variety of genres—children’s books, young adult books, fiction, non-fiction, Spanish, coffee table and Disney books. There are few things in life that are free anymore and I am delighted to be able to work with YWCA and offer these new books to the community free of charge.” YWCA is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is open 9 a.m. t

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LITCHFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) District 18 Commander, Captain Mark Gillock, announces the results of Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (sTEP) in Macoupin and Montgomery Counties during November. These sTEPs allowed the ISP to provide increased enforcement for impaired driving, occupant restraint, speeding, and distracted driving violations during the National “Click It or Ticket” Campaign. Violations Enforcement Activity Occupant Restraint Violations 8 Driving Under the Influence and Drug/Alcohol-Related Citations 0 Speeding Citations and Warnings 80 Distracted Driving Citations and Warnings 1 Total Citations 107 Total Written Warnings 19 Driving the posted speed limit, sober, not distracted, and buckled up will save your life and the lives of many others. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville senior girls basketball forward Kaitlyn Morningstar had a big game for the Tigers on Dec. 1 against Alton, scoring 16 points in Edwardsville's recent loss to the Redbirds at Lucco-Jackson Gym. Although the Tigers lost, the team played very hard throughout the 32 minutes and had plenty of good moments, with the difference being that Alton was able to hit shots that Edwardsville couldn't, and it helped decide the outcome in the Redbirds' favor. Still, the Tigers played exceptionally well and hard. "You know, I think we gave it our all," Morningstar said during a postgame interview. "I feel like that this was definitely the first game where we gave it our all for all 32 minutes and we played as a team and came together. Come later in the season, we'll have a better shot of beating them, for sure." Morningstar is an iCAN Clinic Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. The Redbirds have worked exceptionally hard during the last two seasons to reach this point

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O’FALLON – HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital presented the quarterly National DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to Logan Blankenship, RN, in the medical surgical unit. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's nationwide program to recognize the superhuman efforts nurses perform every day. Logan Blankenship was nominated by charge nurse, Matt Hill, for taking quick action to assist another colleague with a patient in distress in another area. Her attention to the alert message resulted in a full call to the rapid response team. They, along with Logan, were able to stabilize the patient and get them to the ICU. Distribution of the nationally recognized DAISY Award at St. Elizabeth’s is made possible through funds provided by HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Foundation. In addition to Blankenship, nominations were received for over 30 other dedicated St. Elizabeth’s nurses for this quarter. Nominations for future DAISY and other awards at St.

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LINCOLN – A year to remember has taken on a special meaning for one central Illinois family, with a mother-daughter joint release of new books they have authored to end 2022. E.G. Keith is out with her second book of the year after her first successful young-adult novel Havoc was released in March. The sequel is Serenity , and in it, the now 12-year-old author picks right back up with her style of witty comebacks, timely puns, and an evil way of thinking. Her mother, Jennifer J. Keith, makes her author debut with Fixing the Funny Bone. She uses the non-fiction self-help and humor book to introduce new audiences to her G.R.I.T. method, which embraces using humor to help heal from pain and trauma. The mother-daughter duo will formally introduce their new books with a public signing and meet-and-greet event this Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Woman’s Club (230 N. McLean St., Lincoln, IL). Anyone interested is welcome to meet the authors, get

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EDWARDSVILLE - Alton sophomore forward Jarius Powers helped the Redbirds girls' basketball team make history on Dec. 1 with a 20-point performance, leading all scorers as Alton defeated Edwardsville 55-42 at Lucco-Jackson Gym. It was the first win for the Redbirds over the Tigers since February of 1998. also ending a long Southwestern Conference home winning streak for Edwardsville, and in her postgame interview, Powers was a very happy person, indeed. "I feel great,' Powers said. "You know, I'm thankful for my team. It's a team sport, I love my team to death. You know, I'm glad we made our coach (Deserea Howard) happy, made her proud, and stuff like that." Powers is an Auto Butler Female Athlete Of The Month for the Redbirds. The Redbirds have been a very hard-working team for the last two seasons to get to this point, but Powers is always looking at the big picture for her club. "Yeah, you know, we get closer and closer to the bigger picture." Powers said, "to win state and the

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PIASA - Southwestern's Bram Buettel recently finished a sensational freshman year for the Piasa Birds in November. In the Trenton-Wesclin IHSA Class 1A Cross Country Regional Meet, Bram recorded a stellar time of 18:34 for three miles. Bram's brother, Garrett Buettel led the Piasa Birds at the regional with a time of 18:30.3, while Drew Spangler came in at 18:48.2, Zach Rue was home at 21:20.0, Ebon Makler had a time of 21:29.4, Logan Custer had a time of 22:49.7 and Chase Miller had a clocking of 22:50.4. Garrett Buettel, Bram, and Spangler battled all year for top positions for the Piasa Birds in their various meets. At the South Central Conference Boys Meet in October, Bram blazed the trail with a time of 17:32, ahead of his brother (17:35). For his efforts this season, Bram is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Bram's head boys cross country coach Gary Bowker said Bram's future is essentially unlimited on his times ahead

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