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URBANA - Mountain lions have been on the move this fall with two confirmed sightings of animals in northern and central Illinois. Large predators occasionally pass through Illinois but are not here to stay. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reported on Oct. 17 that a mountain lion, also known as cougars, had been struck and killed by a vehicle on I-88 in Dekalb County. Another young male mountain lion was tranquilized by the IDNR on Oct. 28 on the western edge of Springfield and relocated to a sanctuary in Indiana. Officials had been tracking its movements through a GPS collar that was attached last fall by researchers in Nebraska. Mountain lions are protected and it is unlawful to hunt, kill or harass them unless they pose an imminent threat to a person or property, which is rare. Black bears, wolves, and cougars are rare but not unheard of in Illinois. These large predators were extirpated from Illinois in the late 1800s as natural habitats changed and white-tailed deer

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 36-year-old, Jermany Rickman, of Maryville, IL. On August 26, 2022, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Rickman of Maryville, with First Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Attempts to locate Rickman, thus far, have been unsuccessful. Rickman was charged with murder in the death of a 30-year-old, Demond W. Steward of Cahokia Heights, IL., which occurred on August 13, 2022, in the parking lot of the Ivy Ultra Lounge in the 900 block of St. Louis Avenue in East St. Louis. Rickman also has an outstanding federal warrant for Motion to Revoke Supervised Release issued on August 30, 2022, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Do not approach Rickman as he should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with knowledge of the incident or his whereabouts are asked to contact Crimestoppers by phone at 1-866-371-8477 (TIPS) or

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MARYVILLE – With daylight saving time coming to an end this weekend, State Senator Christopher Belt and State Senator Kris Tharp are reminding Metro East families to also check and change their smoke detector batteries as needed. “While we update our clocks to fall back, daylight saving also serves as an important reminder to make sure your smoke detectors are working,” said Senator Belt (D-Swansea). “This is a helpful habit to ensure your household is safe.” If you find an alarm that is not working or is expired, replace the alarm immediately with a new 10-year sealed battery alarm. It’s also a great time to review your family’s fire escape plan. Between the years 2014-2018, the National Fire Protection Association reported that almost three out of every five home fire deaths in the U.S. resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms. The chances of dying in a home fire was reduced by 55% in homes where working

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ALTON - Alderwoman Rosetta “Rosie” Brown, Founder of “Socks for Tots, LLC” announces that her “Seventh Annual Socks for Tots Drive” will begin now in November through December of 2022. New socks only for children are requested. "It’s time to replenish the socks inventory for our youth," Brown said. "My mission is to 'Heat the Feet' of our school-age children. Last year with the help of our community I was able to provide over $3,500 pairs of socks to schools, daycares, the Oasis Women Center, the Boys and Girls Club and Catholic Children’s Home. My goal this year is to provide over $5,000 pairs of socks. Let’s really make an impact in the lives of our children by collectively donating toward this initiative." Boxes will be placed in several venues in our community including the Alton and Wood River Rotary Clubs, Alton Democratic Party, YWCA, City Hall, Today’s Beauty, Bluff City, US Nails, Lovettes, Athletico, New Beginning,

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ILLINOIS - The first thing Illinois voters will see on their ballots this election is a proposal to add the Illinois Workers’ Rights Amendment to the Illinois Constitution - but what does that mean, what would it do, and who would it affect? The amendment would make workers’ rights to negotiate wages, hours, and more part of the Illinois Constitution. When you see it on your ballot, this is the exact wording it will use (which we will help translate): “The proposed amendment would add a new section to the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution that would guarantee workers the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively and to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions, and to promote their economic welfare and safety at work. “The new amendment would also prohibit from being passed any new law that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours,

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Pharmacy (SOP) faculty and students assisted Glen-Ed Pantry with food distribution and their monthly mobile market in Edwardsville which takes place on the third Wednesday of every month. "These types of events are tremendous learning opportunities for our students to provide hands-on care to the underserved in our community,” said Chris Lynch, PharmD, professor and director of clinical programs in the SOP. The SOP faculty and students also provided free blood pressure checks, distributed free sample size bottles of ibuprofen and provided one-on-one counseling sessions. “The monthly mobile market is a great way for the pantry to reach others in need in our community,” said Amy Poos, director of operations at Glen-Ed Pantry. “Having the presence of the SOP helped us reach out to even more people with valuable services to complement what the pantry provides.” “Opportunities

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CARROLLTON - “Light The Way To Recovery To End Stigma,” an event focused on spreading awareness of mental health struggles in the Greene County community, will be held at the Carrollton Courthouse Square at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17. A live acoustic guitar performance from Spalding McIntosh will kick off the event, which will also feature the lighting of luminary lanterns. Molly Peters, public health administrator with the Greene County Health Department, said this is the first year this event has been held, making it the “first-ever event related to recovery in our community.” “The purpose is to bring awareness to the fact that there are many people that have experienced stigma in sharing their recovery stories - whether it be about anxiety, depression, substance use, there’s so many people affected - families, friends, individuals, and we want to really show the impact this has had on our Greene County community,” Peters said. “W

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GODFREY - Area residents, schools, businesses, and municipalities are invited to the Lewis and Clark Community College E-waste drive in conjunction with CJD E-Cycling. The event is being held on Saturday, Nov 5, 2022, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The Lewis and Clark parking lot at Godfrey Road and Tolle Lane (across from the Dairy Queen) is the designated collection site for the drive. Recycle anything with a cord and anything metal! Bring us your servers, switches, PC towers, printers, and other technical equipment. We also accept landline phones, cable boxes, cell phones, wireless modems, servers, audio and video equipment, cables, holiday lights, home electronics, printers, additional telecommunication items, and lead-acid batteries. All types of televisions, along with computer monitors, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators will be accepted with a charge (from $5-$35 depending on size and type). Be advised, poor weather conditions may cancel the event. Should

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EDWARDSVILLE - Below are the Edwardsville-Glen-Carbon Chamber of Commerce Parade float winners in the five different categories. NEIGHBORHOOD/YOUTH GROUPS First Place - Hentz Huntley Fisher & Friends Second Place - EHS Varsity Dance Team Third Place - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority LARGE COMMERCIAL First Place - Sage Salon & Spa Second Place - 1st MidAmerica Credit Union Third Place - First Student Bus Company SMALL COMMERCIAL First Place - Metro Eye Care Second Place - Accent Dental Center (DeLorean) Third Place - Accent Dental Center (Kawasaki Ninja) LARGE NON-PROFIT First Place - Edwardsville YMCA Second Place - Eden Village Retirement Center SMALL NON-PROFIT First Place - Whitley's Wishes (Grand Champion) Second Place - Hope Animal Rescues To vote for the FAN FAVORITE, vote here. The FAN FAVORITE will be picked from the most votes totaled by noon Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

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GODFREY - The Godfrey Fire Protection District firefighters were busy on the scene of a garage fire in Godfrey on Friday morning on Jackson Lane. Chief 1400, Engine 1412, and Engine 1422 all responded to the scene. Godfrey fire officials reported that the fire was under control and at that report, the units would be back in service within an hour. The Godfrey fire team's quick response again prevent any further damage and contained it to the garage.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine on Friday informed County Board members the county will receive an estimated $3.7 million as its share of a settlement in a lawsuit against opioid distributors. The total amount will be received over a period of years, through 2038. The first two installments to the county, totaling $243,323, were processed last week. “Pursuant to the settlement agreements, Madison County is obligated to use the settlement funds to support opioid remediation programs in the community,” Haine wrote. Haine said the terms of the settlement allow the funds to be used for a range of programs that includes training for first-responders, youth education, treatment and support services, support to those involved in the criminal justice system and research. The county will be required to provide documentation to the Illinois Attorney General that funds are used to support opioid remediation programs. “My office stands ready

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ALTON - The Overnight Warming Center of Alton (OWCA) is hosting a Sleep Out fundraiser on Thursday, November 10 at Lincoln Douglas Square (100 Market St. Alton, IL). Participants of the fundraiser will sleep outside from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The Sleep Out event is an opportunity to bring awareness to the experiences of our unhoused neighbors, and it will be a fundraising event for the OWCA. The goal is to raise $15,000 this year for the center and its guests. Community members can sign up or donate to the event at givebutter.com/OWCASleepOut2022. These funds go directly to helping continue to run the center and help the overnight guests. The Overnight Warming Center provides a safe and warm place for unhoused neighbors on nights that are 20 degrees or colder. The center is completely run by volunteers from the community. Learn more about the center on our Facebook page at facebook.com/OvernightWarmingCentersAlton. About Overnight Warming Centers Alton Overnight Warming Centers

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ALTON/GODFREY - The Great Rivers Choral Society is hosting its first concert of the year, “To Life and Liberty,” on two dates at two locations: Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. at The Bridge Church, located at 504 E. 12th St. in Alton, and on Nov. 13 at 3 p.m. at Godfrey First United Methodist Church, located at 1100 Airport Road in Godfrey. Music Director Raynard Brown said the theme of this concert is to focus on the beauty of life in America regardless of political stance. “It’s about living in America and recognizing how blessed we are to live in a country - regardless of whatever political side you’re on, life is pretty awesome here,” Brown said. “This concert serves to remind us that life is about your neighbor … and remind us of the beauty of this country.” He said there will also be visual displays to accompany the songs which highlight the beauty of both American nature and people. “When they come to the concert,

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Name: Shannon Yount Hometown: Boston, MA Years of Service: 2006 - 2014 KIA: No Branch: United States Marine Corps. Rank: Sergeant of Marines Wars: OIF/OEF Message: Thank you for your military service and for your steadfast advocacy and service to our Veteran Community! Submitted By: Bradley Yount

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ALTON - A 29-year-old Alton man - Lucas C. Chesnut - died early Friday morning in a fatal motorcycle crash off the side of the roadway in the 3000 block of Alby Street in Alton. Alton Deputy Police Chief Jarrett Ford said at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, the Alton Police Department received notice of a traffic crash involving a motorcycle in the 3000 block of Alby Street, Alton. Deputy Chief Ford said: "Alton Police Officers as well as members of the Alton Fire Department arrived and located the motorcycle off the side of the roadway in the 3000 block of Alby Street. The driver and sole occupant of the motorcycle was also located and beyond life-saving measures. The Madison County Coroner’s Office later pronounced the driver deceased as a result of injuries sustained in the crash." The Madison County Coroner’s Office later pronounced the driver deceased as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The driver is identified as Lucas C. Chesnut,

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GRANITE CITY - Juniors Aaron Brinker , Anna Forbes , Lucas Hutchings and Reece Smallie of Granite City High School were selected as Granite City Rotary Club Students of the Month for September and October. 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 Meeting. LUCAS HUTCHINGS - September Two-year member of boys golf team ... Three-year Honor Roll and two-year Secondary Honors ... All-Warrior Award ... Volunteer at Relleke Farms Fall Festival ... Member of Book Club, Renaissance, Speech and Debate Spirit Club, Varsity Club and Vica ... Son of Chris and Kellie Hutchings. REECE SMALLIE - September Two-year member of girls tennis and girls soccer team ... Two-time Honor Roll and three-year Scholar Letter ...

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GRANITE CITY - GCS Credit Union employees joined together to raise $835.00 in the month of October to benefit the Love, Abby organization through their Don’t Stop Donatin’ Jeans Program. 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. This year, GCS Credit Union is focusing on giving back to the 18 counties that they serve. During the month of October, GCS focused on giving back to Randolph County, IL. GCS proudly raised $835.00 for Love, Abby. Love, Abby is an organization that was established in honor of Abby Liefer who was taken too soon from a car accident in 2015. This organization was put together by her parents who started Love, Abby as a Random Act of Kindness that helped the family cope with the

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JERSEYVILLE - Gregory S. Breden, of the American Legion Post 492, said today this year's Veterans Day ceremony will be hosted by the Legion in Jerseyville on Friday, November 11, 2022. The parade will start at 10 a.m. on Friday. Participants of the Veterans Day Parade can begin lining up at 9 that morning. The starting point for the parade will be at Wells Norris on West Prairie in Jerseyville. The parade will proceed on State Street to Exchange and end at West Pearl in Jerseyville. The Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Jersey County Courthouse War Memorial. "The ceremony will begin shortly after everyone settles in," Breden said. "On the day of the event if there is rain or snow the parade will be canceled and the ceremony will be moved to the American Legion Post 492." "We will hold the event outside underneath the big pavilion," Breden continued. "The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 11, under the big pavilion at the American Legion Post 492."

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SPRINGFIELD - HSHS Hospice Illinois invites community members to join them for their 8 th annual Night of Remembrance ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. Similar to the 2021 ceremony, this year will be a virtual candle lighting service via video to remember loved ones, to ease grief and celebrate the lives of those lost. Community members are invited to join the ceremony by lighting a candle at home while viewing the event virtually at hshshomecare.org/candle . For more information or questions, contact Valerie Engelbart, HSHS Hospice Illinois Volunteer/Bereavement Coordinator, at valerie.engelbart@hshs.org or call 217-685-0702.

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker, together with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Early Childhood (DEC), announced plans to further advance Illinois as the best state in the country for families to raise young children. The investments are aimed at supporting providers as they continue serving their local communities and easing financial burdens on working families. Illinois will enhance its continued investments in the state’s early childhood system in the following ways: Extending and expanding the Strengthen and Grow Child Care (SGCC) grant program through July 2023. These grants provide funding for eligible child care centers and homes. Extending Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) eligibility for job seekers through June 2023. Reclassifying some eligibility earned income to unearned income. This will enable more families to access CCAP benefits and make Illinois a leader in this area. “When I took office in 2019, I pledged to

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