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EAST ST. LOUIS – Over $200,000 in grant funding is coming to Madison and St. Clair Counties to enhance broadband accessibility for residents, thanks to support from State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D- Glen Carbon). “The pandemic showed the need for an increase in broadband services through economic opportunity, remote learning and health care services,” Belt said. “These grants will bring resources toward the health, growth and education of our community through expanded accessibility.” The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced funding for 22 projects in every region of the state. The money is part of the second round of Connect Illinois to improve the lives of families, farmers, businesses, community institutions and other Illinoisans who rely on high-speed broadband for everything from education to healthcare access. Charter Spectrum Bella Vista, Briars and Equus Lane in Madison

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Reggie “Sweetie” & Teresa “Honey Bun” Pearson of Alton Date Met/Started Dating: June 28, 2013 Briefly Describe First Date: We met on the Alton Belle Casino. He was sitting next to me asking me how to play games in the casino. My answer: put your money in and pull the handle. Date Married: August 28, 2014 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Going to church, traveling, and occasional gaming at the casinos. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Take time to listen to each other’s personal goals and also set couples' goals. Be kind to each other and all arguments are not fair; accept critique and make it work.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Tara & Nicholas Thompson from Cottage Hills Date Met/Started Dating: October 12, 2018 Briefly Describe First Date: All I can say is that we danced and danced Date Married: December 14, 2019 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We can have fun doing anything..but we enjoy our grandkids, fishing, road trips, cuddling up for movies, vacations, and our dog Brody. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always tell each other the truth. Always have each other's back. Always show each other respect.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Ed & Michelle Bickell of Roxana Date Met/Started Dating: November 21, 1989 Briefly Describe First Date: Cruising the Wood River strip Date Married: May 7, 1994 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Spoiling our pets, going to car shows/cruises for me, and horse events for her. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: You have to be friends first 100%, no secrets, don't ever go to bed mad.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Connie Matifes Abraham and Ron Abraham of Alton Date Met/Started Dating: December 3, 2004 Briefly Describe First Date: We both sang with Great Rivers Choral Society & he asked me to meet at Tony’s Restaurant (downtown Alton) for wine & appetizers. I was leaving the next day on cruise with 3 girlfriends. Date Married: June 13, 2009 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We enjoyed singing together for 12 year until we retired from that. We enjoy wineries, going out to eat & spending time with family & friends. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: It’s the old cliché “don’t go to bed angry” and communication.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: China & Jeremiah from Wood River Date Met/Started Dating: March 19, 2015 Briefly Describe First Date: We were setup on a blind date by mutual friends, which I didn't know that it was a date until a few hours prior but only because I stumbled across a post that China had made. We both had said no to meeting multiple times but for some reason we both finally gave in and decide to meet, possible to get the two friends to shut up. We had a great date at Fast Eddie's, she had mentioned about other dates that she had went on which didn't obviously work out and I remember telling her that she should tell them "thank you" for me, which she liked. At the end of the date we decided to setup a 2nd date from there side we enjoyed the evening and each others company. Date Married: April 13, 2018 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Adding items to our personal collections, road trips, toy shows, enjoying our favorite restaurants, spending time with

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EAST ALTON - East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike, Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine, and East Alton Mayor Darren Carlton, joined by other area officers, announced the names of two charged after the shooting at 7:55 p.m. in the East Alton Ice Rink parking lot on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at a press conference Thursday morning. Two individuals were injured and hospitalized after the shooting. One suffered a serious leg injury. Charged in the case were suspect Berton Lamar Newton, 30, of the 2700 block of Oscar in Alton, and his girlfriend, Amber Dawn Golliday, 33. Newton faces an array of charges from Attempted First Degree Murder, two counts of Aggravated Battery With A Firearm, and a count of Unlawful Possession Of Weapons By A Felon. Newton's bond is set at $1,000,000, by Judge Kyle A. Napp. Golliday faces one count of Obstructing Justice. Her bond is $150,000. More information to come.

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BELLEVILLE – Over the last two years, Illinois American Water helped more than 15,500 residential customers receive financial assistance to help keep water service flowing. The support came through the Company’s customer assistance program, H2O Help to Others, as well as customer grants credited to qualifying accounts. “We understand it can be hard to get back on track once an account falls behind. We want to help our customers receive the assistance they need and avoid service interruption,” said Beth Matthews, Vice President of Operations. Illinois American Water’s H2O Help to Others program offers financial assistance to residential customers in need. The program is administered by Salvation Army agencies within the company’s service area. Information, including Salvation Army contact information, can be found online at illinoisamwater.com under Customer Service & Billing in the Customer Assistance Program section. The H2O Help to Others program

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EAST ALTON - Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas Haine reminded area residents at today’s press conference at the East Alton Ice Rink that Eastgate Plaza is a safe place. He also said Eastgate owner Todd Kennedy has done a remarkable job with the other businesses revitalizing the area. “We can’t think of another violent crime that has occurred on the parking lot of Eastgate,” he said. “It is a safe, family-friendly place and this case is like a bolt of lightning out of the sky, there is no trend people should be worried about or uptake of violence at Eastgate. In fact, this shines a light on all the resources we have locally to combat crime. This was a case surrounded by cameras that record everything that takes part in this parking lot." Haine added: "Madison County is now covered with a web of cameras that allows us to track individuals under investigation to an incredible degree and that was instrumental in this case. Eastgate is open for

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