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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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EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville renewed the municipal electricity aggregation program this fall with a new supplier, Constellation NewEnergy. This is an “opt-out” program, meaning that residents will be enrolled in it automatically unless they choose a different supplier. Since the start of this program, the City’s goal has been to insulate residents from the continued rise in electric supply rates by joining other municipalities in a competitive bidding process among alternative retail electric suppliers. This process locks in the rate for a period of time, typically up to 24 months. Because the new aggregation term doesn’t begin until February, every participating household will return to Ameren, but only for two billing cycles before the new aggregation program starts. Each household will receive a notice from Ameren confirming the return for the two-month period. If you want to participate in the City’s aggregation program, simply do NOTHING

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OSF HEALTHCARE - For many adults, alcohol is part of unwinding after a stressful work week. There are the usual reminders about having a sober driver, knowing your limits and mixing in water between your beers. But experts are also warning about the dangers of excessive drinking or binge drinking, which is having several drinks on one occasion. Two recent studies shed light on the dangers. One reported that around one in five deaths among people aged 20 to 49 was attributed to excessive alcohol use. The other study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine linked binge drinking to problems like alcohol addiction, emotional symptoms and not getting along with friends, family and coworkers. This was true in study participants who didn’t even consider themselves heavy drinkers. The dangers How quickly can binge drinking turn problematic? “Very easily,” says Andrew Zasada, MD , an internal medicine physician at OSF HealthCare in Champaign County,

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a Madison County jury has found a registered sex offender is a Sexually Violent Person (SVP). Following the verdict, Madison County Circuit Court Judge Janet Heflin ordered Ricky Deering, 62, of Bethalto, Illinois, to be remanded back to the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Deering returned to the Illinois Department of Human Services Treatment and Detention Facility in Rushville, where he has been since 2016. “I appreciate the jury’s work to find this offender to be a Sexually Violent Person,” Raoul said. “His criminal record shows a disturbing pattern of harming children, and now this verdict prevents him from being able to harm any more innocent children.” In 1985, Deering was convicted of sexual abuse in Missouri and was sentenced to two years of probation. In 1990, he was convicted of attempting to commit sodomy and sexual abuse in Missouri and was sentenced to eight

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Thursday, November 3, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Jayana Johnson, 24 years of age, of the 8400 block of Plaza Rock Court, Missouri 63114, for Endangering the Welfare of a Child First Degree. Johnson is being held on $200,000 cash only, no 10% bond. The probable cause statement reads: Defendant is 24 years old. The victim is a 10-month-old child. The defendant was responsible for providing care and nutrition for the Victim. Defendant failed to do so. The victim was admitted to Children’s Hospital with severe injuries, including rickets, pneumonia, severe malnutrition, failure to thrive, and approximately 17 bone fractures as a result of lack of care. The victim was admitted to the PICU. Defendant removed the victim from the hospital without notifying any hospital personnel. Children’s Division had obtained protective custody for the victim and notified the defendant that they needed to

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ALTON - St. Mary's Middle School today announces its first quarter honor roll and high honor roll students. 6th Grade High Honor Roll Avery Conrad Elaina Cowan James Fischer Katherine Fitzgerald Tucker Hamilton Eli Heischmidt Joseph Henesey Parker Hough Caleb Kasten Kainan Kelly Colette Manns Lucia Pulido Jenna Redman Caden Roth William Roth Alex Schmittling Caden Shewmake Olivia Smith Elizabeth Strickland William Waters Brock Woodward 6 th Grade Honor Roll Alexa Hoagland Sam Johnson Christopher Loftus Kaelyn Page Clyde Phillips Sophia Schmittling Brendan White Zoey Zeller 7 th Grade High Honor Roll Alivia Beaber Brooke Boston Clara Brass Alayna Graham Isabella Greenberg Gianna Grossheim Emily Hough Sophia Jacobs Jensen Janek Ryan Joehl Cameron Jones Chase Jones Sam Jun Allison Nash Natalie Novak Gianna Pulido Nora Ringering Mason Widman 7 th Grade Honor Roll Connor Cochran Baylee Dunse Jackson Ellis-Gable Lucas

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ARLINGTON, Va. - Nestlé USA is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough tubs from NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® due to the potential presence of soft plastic film. This voluntary recall is isolated to three batches of Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough tubs from NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® that were produced August 1-3, 2022. These products were distributed to retailers nationwide. This recall does not involve any other NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® products, including other varieties of Edible cookie dough or Ready-to-Bake cookie dough. While no illnesses or injuries have been reported, we took action out of an abundance of caution after a small number of consumers contacted Nestlé USA about this issue. Consumers who may have purchased these three batch codes (22135554RR, 22145554RR, 22155554RR) of Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough tubs from NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® should not consume the produc

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GRANITE CITY - The Illinois Department of Transportation announces a lane closure in the eastbound direction of I-270 between Riverview Drive in Missouri and IL 3 beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022, weather permitting. One eastbound lane will remain open throughout the weekend. This work is needed to do bridge deck repairs. All lanes will be opened on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 5:00 a.m. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The contractor on this project is Walsh Construction Company II, LLC of Chicago, IL. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ST. LOUIS - Today, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones voted early at Julia Davis Library following Missouri’s new no-excuse absentee voting provision, which allows voters to vote early absentee without an excuse beginning two weeks before Election Day. “Your vote is your voice and the way we make change in our communities,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “No-excuse absentee voting is a great opportunity to cast your ballot early, on your own schedule, ahead of Election Day on November 8. It’s fast, easy, and convenient, and I encourage St. Louisans to learn more about all their options to vote .” The Board of Election Commissioners has opened four locations across St. Louis for residents to vote no-excuse absentee: Three St. Louis Public Library branches on Monday, Thursday, and Friday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday: 12 p.m.–7:00 p.m., Saturday: 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Buder Library, 4401 Hampton Julia Davis Library, 4415 Natural

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WOOD RIVER - Jeffrey’s Flowers By Design, a custom flower shop in Wood River, is hosting its 17th annual Christmas Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 6, at the flower shop, located at 322 Wesley Drive in Wood River. Jeffrey McElroy, owner and founder of the business, said his flower shop offers several different products at affordable prices. “I think we set ourselves apart because we’re just not a typical flower shop, we’re more of an upscale look without the upscale price,” McElroy said. “I keep my prices very comparable to the area - in fact, there are some things that I’m lower priced on than other flower shops in our area. “We do lots of silk arrangements, we do home decor, we do a lot of funeral work … we do a lot of plants, a lot of blooming stuff whenever it’s available and in season. We do lots of different things, but my main focus is the upscale look without the upscale price.” McElroy

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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community High School government students have been discussing the November 8 midterm elections in class this week. Ben T. Gracey, the social studies department head/government teacher, said the lesson begins with an examination of what the constitution says about elections and voting. It then goes into further detail about various offices at the national, state, and local levels. "These midterm elections have been getting a lot of attention, and we pride ourselves in inculcating a real civic awareness in our student body about such things," Gracey said. Gracey also explained that the JCHS senior government course provides an in-depth examination of the formulation/meaning of the U.S. Constitution. "In addition, students examine how the principles of that constitution relate to our modern political system and civic engagement," Gracey said. "We don’t just memorize amendments at JCHS. Our graduating seniors leave here with a better understanding of how we

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CHICAGO - The Powerball jackpot has ballooned to a staggering $1.5 billion for Saturday night’s drawing, and quickly approaching the world record $1.586 billion jackpot. If a player wins Saturday night’s massive grand prize, it would be the second largest Powerball jackpot and the third largest lottery jackpot won in U.S. history. No winner matched all six numbers to win the jackpot last night. The winning numbers were: 2-11-22-35-60 and the Powerball is 23. However, several Illinois Lottery players woke up this morning a whole lot richer after last night’s drawing! Three players matched four numbers and the Powerball with Powerplay to win $100,000 each, and nine local players matched four numbers and the Powerball to win $50,000 each. The majority of the winning tickets were purchased at retailers across the greater Chicagoland area.

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VIRDEN - The Macoupin County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Thursday afternoon that at around 9:46 a.m. today, the Virden Police Department received a call from North Mac High School in reference to a note being found that indicated there was "an active shooter." Virden officer arrived on scene within 3 to 4 minutes and begin searching the building. The Virden Police officer was able to determine very quickly that there was no active shooter. The building was put on full lockdown and searched thoroughly by the Virden Police department, the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office Illinois State Police, and the Secretary of State Police. "There is no threat to the school at this time," the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office said. The investigation is being conducted by the Virden Police Department along with assistance from the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office.

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ST. LOUIS - An overnight Amber Alert on a 10-month-old girl who had been determined to be “critical and unstable” at the hospital has been canceled. St. Louis County Police authorities said the Amber Alert was issued after police said the child's 24-year-old mother took her from Children’s Hospital in the Central West End, violating at least two previous orders. St. Louis County Police said the 10-month-old girl was brought to Children’s Hospital appeared drastically underweight. The 10-month-old weighed only 13 pounds and the average weight for a 10-month-old girl is 13 pounds. The Amber Alert lasted more than two hours before it was canceled. St. Louis County Police said a protective custody order was issued for the child, but the mother took the child out of Children's Hospital in St. Louis against the protective custody and doctors' orders.

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ALTON - For the first time in multiple months, the Alton Fire Department will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Fire Station 1 333 E. 20th Street in Alton. "We are excited about having a blood drive here," Margaret Renken, the Alton Fire Department Office Manager, said. "We are hoping to see more donors sign up and give the gift of life. We used to have blood drives here for years, but COVID-19 changed things. We are hoping for strong attendance." Renken also mentioned the Red Cross is encouraging appointments for the blood drive. The Red Cross number is 1-800-733-2737 or sign up on the Red Cross website . The Red Cross will have a T-shirt giveaway and those who register also get a $10 E-Gift card. All donors who register must have a valid e-mail on file to receive the E-Gift Card.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal motor crash in the 9700 block of Halls Ferry Road that resulted in the death of a teenage male. On November 2, 2022, at 3:58 PM, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a motor vehicle accident in the 9700 block of Halls Ferry Road. Arriving officers located two vehicles involved in a motor vehicle crash. Preliminary investigation has revealed a Kia Forte was northbound in the 9700 block of Halls Ferry Road when it turned into oncoming traffic and was struck by a Hyundai Genesis. The driver of the Kia Forte was transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased. The Hyundai Genesis had two occupants. The driver left the scene of the accident. The passenger, an adult female, was transported to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries.

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More pics at: https://www.randymanning.com/Alton-Halloween-Parade ALTON - Dr. Bruce Vest and company with Alton Orthopedic Sports Medicine did it again in 2022, capturing first place in the Commercial Division of the Alton Halloween Parade. This year’s float was called “Fiesta Spectacular,” which contained what Dr. Vest described as “every kind of spook imaginable with music and skeletons.” In an interview at the Alton Halloween Parade, Dr. Vest said this is his 21st year of having a float in the Alton Halloween Parade. Alton Physical Therapy was second in the Commercial Division, Tarrant & Harman was third and The Home Depot was fourth. All the float entries in the Commercial Division were outstanding in 2022. “I have seven children and I guess we started in the Alton Halloween Parade because we thought it would be a lot of fun to do,” Dr. Vest said. “We started doing it every year. Normally, we do something related to bones an

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Letter To The Editor: In the wake of an election and encouraging voters to go to the polls I begin to wonder why so many are not engaged in this process. There are many worries that black and brown people may have that have them somewhat distracted right now. One of them is that tenants are pushing for solutions to rising rents and evictions, and to address private equity’s role in exacerbating the nation’s housing crisis. Some tenants are organizing to save their homes and create more just local and national housing policies, as well as the role of private equity in fueling the housing crisis. Questions are being pondered over: What is the impact of housing speculation and private equity in the single-family and multi-family rental markets? How do public policies and the actions of the Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) play into the housing crisis? How are tenants and community organizations working to build power for a just housing future. The U.S. is currently

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EAST ST. LOUIS - A former resident of Edwardsville pled guilty on Friday, October 28, 2022, to making a series of false statements during his 2018 bankruptcy case in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois. According to court documents, Kevin Kahrig, 49, a former building contractor in the area, concealed assets from his creditors by transferring those assets to his girlfriend-turned-spouse, Catharine Kahrig, prior to filing bankruptcy. As part of his plea, Kahrig admitted that he transferred $277,850 in cash and checks to Catharine Kahrig in 2016, then closed all his bank accounts the next year. Kahrig hid those cash transfers and many of the closed accounts in his later filings with the bankruptcy court. Also in the court documents, it says next, Kahrig took his name off a lakefront home he co-owned with Catharine Kahrig and hid this transfer from the bankruptcy court. Kahrig also sold his boat before bankruptcy. He gave the $395,000 he got from the boat

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EDWARDSVILLE - Ten students enrolled in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Educational Leadership’s Principal Preparation Program have been chosen to be part of the inaugural Illinois School Leadership Pipeline Program (ISLPP). "Our aspiring principals are from districts, large and small, and from communities stretching from northern to southern Illinois,” said Vicki Van Tuyle, EdD, associate professor in the educational leadership program in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. “Their collective experiences range from kindergarten through high school and include foreign language, social work, special education, career and technical education, and core subjects. We are pleased that these students have been chosen to be part of the ISLPP.” The 10 SIUE ISLPP recipients include Leslie Bell, Kayla Elam, Catherine Johnson, Catrice Johnson, David Lerch, Melissa Montgomery, Megan Perschbacher, Katie Prather, Luz Rangel Raymond and Erika

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