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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine announced today that a Madison County jury found Mantia Johnson, 35, of Granite City, guilty of first-degree murder for the killing of Ahmaad Nunley on August 2, 2021. The jury also found Johnson guilty of attempted murder for the simultaneous shooting of Shamyia Seay and the aggravated discharge of a firearm. “This highway shooting and murder was truly terrible," said Haine. "We are happy the jury agreed and convicted Mantia Johnson. Now, the victims' families can begin to gain closure after their pain and loss." On August 2, 2021, police and emergency personnel responded to a shooting on Highway Route 3, where one car had shot numerous rounds into another while driving. Nunley, who was in the victim’s car and had been shot multiple times, was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, succumbing to his injuries. Seay was also in the victim’s car and shot multiple times but recovered from her wounds and was one

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Blaze Farnan is off to the races. It doesn’t matter that the five-year-old congenital heart patient is in a hospital bed. To keep him moving, part of his rehab includes an innovative new offering for some patients at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois: the RT300 Supine in-bed cycle ergometer. “We call them the bikes just for short because it's much easier to say than in-bed cycle ergometer,” laughs Megan Kupferschmid. Kupferschmid was part of Blaze’s care team as a clinical nurse educator in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. She says the use of these in-bed bikes is in the trial stage; the team there is gathering data to investigate the benefits of the technology. According to Kupferschmid, the idea behind the bikes is early movement through activity-based therapy, which can lead to faster recovery and shortened hospital stays for kids who need it. “It allows kids that

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It’s one of the most common cancers in American men. But experts say prostate cancer is manageable when caught early. Uwais Zaid, MD, a urologist at OSF HealthCare in Alton, Illinois, is marking the end of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month by urging men to get screening appointments on their calendar at the right time. That’s critical, he says, because some people who develop prostate cancer will not show symptoms. “It is something we certainly do take seriously in urology,” Dr. Zaid says. What is the prostate? The prostate is a male gland about the size and shape of a walnut. It surrounds the upper part of the urethra, or the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate makes some of the fluid that’s part of semen. Risk factors Dr. Zaid says the risk for prostate cancer increases with age. Other risks: “African American men are at a higher risk,” Dr. Zaid says. “Certain dietary things like too much red meat and greasy

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ALTON - Dennis Watters, who started Team Watters Search and Recovery with his wife, Tammy, died Tuesday night after a fight with cancer. Dennis and his wife have made such a difference in people’s lives since they started the Search and Recovery by locating their loved ones after a tragedy. The couple were Madison County residents but trekked across the country to help families bring closure to missing members after tragic events. The Alton Emergency Corps worked closely with Dennis and Tammy and made this statement today about Dennis: “Rest In Peace Dennis Watters. Truly a giving man. Thank you for your time and for helping so many families.” Dennis invested in boat and sonar equipment that enabled him with his team to search not only creeks but lakes and rivers for missing individuals. Dennis and Tammy donated their own funds to help others locate loved ones, and much of the rescue craft and tools were built by them over the years. The Alton Emergency Corps sai

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CARLINVILLE - Three Blackburn College faculty members were honored at the 2022 Investiture for Endowed Faculty on Thursday, October 13, at Bothwell Auditorium. The first ceremony of its kind at the College, the event recognizes Blackburn’s commitment to academic excellence, highlights extraordinary faculty contributions to the institution, and celebrates the philanthropic support that makes these esteemed positions possible. The three Blackburn College faculty members honored during this inaugural event were: Professor James Bray, Jr. as the Dr. Irving Lawrence Graves Chair in Biology Professor Craig Newsom as the James C. & Enid J. Pegram Chair in Fine Arts Professor Cindy Carlson Rice as the Sonja Faust Hudren Professor in Education “Endowed positions such as these represent significant academic achievement," said President Mark Biermann, "Jim Bray, Craig Newsom, and Cindy Rice bring outstanding creativity and innovation to the work they share with Blackburn

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CHICAGO - A life-changing amount of cash is up for grabs tonight as the Powerball jackpot soars to a sweltering $700 million. If a player wins Wednesday night’s jackpot, it would be the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot and the eighth-largest lottery jackpot won in U.S. history. Illinois Lottery players are already winning big in this jackpot roll. In Monday night’s Powerball draw, two local players instantly became $200,000 richer and another two lucky players won prizes of $50,000 each. This was on top of the big Powerball prizes won by Illinois Lottery players in Saturday night’s draw. So far this year, Illinois Lottery players have purchased over 2.1 million winning Powerball tickets and won nearly $23.5 million in prizes in Illinois. You could be next! With over 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers across the State, lottery players can conveniently pick up a ticket at their local store - or they can login to the Illinois Lottery website or app and purchase a ticke

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In recognition of First Responders Day on Oct. 28, State Senators Christopher Belt and Kris Tharp urge residents to take time this week to express gratitude toward emergency personnel. “Individuals working in public safety respond to calls of distress on a daily basis,” said Senator Tharp (D-Bethalto). “First responders exemplify courage and strength in our communities. This week and every week, thank one you know personally or when you see one out around town.” First Responders Day recognizes the work of firefighters, police officers, 911 dispatchers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics and their commitment to improving public safety in Illinois. Senators Belt and Tharp remind residents to extend gratitude to first responders year-round for their dedication and remember those lost in the line of duty. “Public safety officers and first responders have made sacrifices in order to serve and protect their communities,”

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WOOD RIVER - The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary , a nonprofit organization that rescues Mustang horses, hosted a Music Trivia Blast fundraiser last Friday, Oct. 24 at the Wood River Moose Lodge. Cora Miller, director of promotion and development with the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, said the event was a big success and that they had a “full house.” She attributed the event’s large turnout to “good marketing” and her appearance on Our Daily Show on Riverbender.com . “We had a full house - I would say every seat we planned on was filled,” Miller said. “I think the good marketing, and also the podcast we did, really encouraged people to buy their tickets ahead of time and that worked out beautifully.” Big Papa G was the host for the evening, and Miller said he did a phenomenal job. The prizes and gift baskets were also well-received by attendees. “He is always a hit with the crowd. He keeps the spirit of the Mustang

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Madison County has filed a petition asking the Illinois Supreme Court to review the Fourth Appellate District’s ruling on the recently passed judicial subcircuit legislation. Joining Madison County in the petition were Christina Wiley of Bethalto (pro se plaintiff), Judges Christopher Threlkeld and Amy Sholar (Represented by Attorney James Craney), and Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (Represented by Phillip A. Luetkehans). “Prior to the passage of this subcircuit law, all residents of Madison County could vote for their circuit judges,” said Haine. “Now, the boundaries have been gerrymandered in such a way that only a fraction of the residents of Madison County will have the right to vote on Circuit judges, even though they will still have power to decide cases for all County residents. We think that concept is fundamentally unfair and a violation of our Constitution.” “Als

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning student loan borrowers to be on the lookout for scammers posing as debt relief and debt consolidation companies to steal personal information and money. Attorney General Raoul is urging borrowers to be vigilant, particularly as federal loan payments paused under the CARES Act will restart Jan. 1, 2023. Attorney General Raoul encourages borrowers to exercise caution if they receive unsolicited phone calls, letters in the mail, emails, texts or social media messages from entities offering student loan debt relief. According to Raoul, these entities could be scammers, and borrowers will receive more reliable guidance by using a personal loan servicer or going through the Department of Education. “The last thing any student loan borrower needs when attempting to address their student loan debt is to become a victim of student loan repayment scams,” Raoul said. “Instead, borrowers should get their information from the

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $1,483,510 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants for Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and Loyola University in Chicago. The HHS funding was awarded through the Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academies Program and the Registered Nurse Training Program. The Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academies Program supports partnerships between academic programs, clinicians, and the community to offer support to clinical nursing faculty and preceptors, improving the capacity of academic and clinical programs to train more nurses. The Registered Nurse Training Program works to improve health outcomes and health equity by strengthening the capacity and skills of student nurses to give high-quality and culturally-competent care to underserved communities. “In a time of need, everyone deserves to have high-quality care from well-trained

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WASHINGTON – During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, along with 13 of their Senate colleagues, wrote to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of steps they have taken to develop and implement the Biden Administration’s historic Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. In light of EPA’s decision to draft Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) in accordance with Executive Order 13990, the Senators emphasized the need to strengthen and enforce the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), including to require water systems to replace often century-old and deteriorating lead pipes over the coming decade. They also urged EPA to ensure that lead in school and child care center drinking water is prioritized, with emphasis on disadvantaged communities and communities with the highest cumulative impact of lead exposures.

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GRANITE CITY - The Illinois Department of Transportation announces lane closures in both directions of I-270 between IL 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022, weather permitting. One lane in each direction will remain open throughout the weekend. This work is needed to do bridge deck repairs. All lanes will be opened on Monday, October 31, 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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GODFREY - The Lewis and Clark Community College Athletics Department would like to invite you to a fun night of laughs, high-energy and creative talent brought to you by the Trailblazer student-athletes. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m., with a mixer (cash bar) in the upper level of the Hatheway Cultural Center. The talent show will begin at 7 p.m. in the Ann Whitney Olin Theatre. “The athletes have worked hard the past few weeks on their acts, and look to provide you with something that puts a smile on the faces of you and your family members,” said L&C Athletics Director Dr. Cedric Brown. "The idea of the Trailblazer Talent Show is a tenet of the President’s Cup, which is a competition between the 10 athletic programs within the athletic department. Each team will compete in five categories including overall team grade point average (GPA), total team community service hours, team spirit award, Trailblazer Talent Show, and total team fundraising. The team that

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - There are some businesses that become an integral part of a community for a long time and then, for any of a number of reasons, they close. Their legacy lives on and on and many of us that have been around a long time remember all the good things about that business. How could you remember Benld and not remember Fazios, New Dan, Benld Dairy, Mr. Rizzis Bank, Leone’s Lumber, Gaudio Distributing, or Tarros? I better stop there in naming businesses there that are gone. How could you not remember Staunton’s Kozis, Marty and Millies, The Alleys, Cignetti Beer Garden, Dietiker’s Clothing, and Illini Lumber in Staunton, Litchfield’s Dierduffs Roller Rink, Gardens Restaurant, Saratoga Club, Blackwelders Clothing, Yaeger’s Clothing, Newberrys Dime Store or Blue Danube? What about Gillespie’s Bernhardts Restaurant, Mikes Tavern, or Demuzio’s Tavern, Livingston’s Ken Dons Restaurant, Wray’s Grocery, Cooperative Store (Augustines),

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Michelle Royal, 39 years of age, of the 700 block of Redwing in Florissant, Missouri 63031, for two counts of Hindering Prosecution. Royal was arrested on October 25, 2022. A Mugshot of Royal is attached. Royal is being held on $30,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On May 29, 2022, two juvenile suspects escaped confinement from the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center. Early the next morning, one of the juvenile suspects called a subject requesting to be picked up from their location. A subject responded to the location and was observed on video providing them with transportation and firearms. Upon an arrest of the subject, he made statements incriminating the Defendant, the mother of on

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday Madison County’s law enforcement agencies, in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, will operate a drop-off site for Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 29, in Edwardsville. Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine, Sheriff John Lakin, and Coroner Steve Nonn will be operating the drop-off site in coordination with the DEA. The drop-off site, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be in the Madison County Administration Building’s back parking lot on Second Street in Edwardsville: Madison County Administration Building, 157 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Haine said the event is “a great way for local residents to help fight the overdose epidemic and save lives.” Lakin added, “I encourage local residents to take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of unneeded medicines in a way that is healthy and safe.” Nonn

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Halloween Parade has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. The parade was supposed to occur at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, but was rescheduled because of the rainy weather. The parade line-up begins at 6 p.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery on the Erwin Plegge side. The parade route moves down Erwin Plegge and ends at Bethalto City Hall. A Trunk-or-Treat event will follow at Central Park in Bethalto. Those interested in participating with a decorated vehicle for the Trunk-or-Treat have to message the Rotary Club of Bethalto directly.

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ST. LOUIS - More was learned on Tuesday morning at a police briefing about the shooter, 19-year-old Orlando Harris, who opened fire in the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis on Monday and killed a teacher and a student. Several students were also injured in the shooting and are being treated at St. Louis hospitals. Harris was shot and killed while firing at authorities. Mayor Tishaura Jones, SLMPD Interim Police Chief Michael Sack, and St. Louis Public Schools representatives spoke at the event. Harris shot and killed two individuals - Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old health teacher at the high school, and 15-year-old student Alexandria Bell. Several others were injured. Harris described himself as “a loner with no friends” in a note in his vehicle, police said. He graduated from the school last year. Police said Harris had an AR-15-style rifle and more than 600 rounds of ammunition on his person at the time of the shooting. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has chosen to honor Edwardsville High School student Isabelle (Izzy) O’Day with the Student of the Month Award for the month of October. Izzy was nominated by Honors Literature teacher, Ms. Cara Lane, of Edwardsville High School. Izzy is the daughter of Jamie and Ryan O’ Day. She is involved in many extracurriculars at Edwardsville High School including the Engineering Club, Film Society, Interact Club, Student Council, Partners for Pets Volunteering, and is an officer on Student Council and President of National Honor Society. In her free time, Izzy enjoys baking, working, reading, and playing volleyball, which is a passion she has pursued for six years. In the future, Izzy hopes to pursue a career in STEM - either in the medical or engineering field. Isabelle plans to attend either Illinois State University, Purdue, or Western Kentucky University. She also hopes to one day own her own business. The Edwardsville Rotary Club recognize

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