June 2022

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for young children

ATLANTA, Georgia – The Centers for Disease Control has endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that all children 6 months through 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This expands eligibility for vaccination to nearly 20 million additional children and means that all Americans ages 6 months and older are

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Center for Rural Affairs: House appropriations bill sets stage for rural program funding

LYONS, NEBRASKA – Recently, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee released its draft agriculture appropriations bill for 2023. The bill outlines funding for multiple programs that benefit rural America, including Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) and the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). “The Center relies on lawmakers to show their support for these programs through the appropriations process,” said

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Chester Municipal Band 2022 Summer Concert Series continues tonight

By Jim Beers Contributing Writer CHESTER –The Chester Municipal Band is back for its 2022 Summer Concert Series.  A rich tradition continues this summer as it has for more than 75 years.    The continuous string of concerts was broken in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck with a vengeance, but Muni Band Director Steve

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Chicago-bound Amtrak train hits dump truck, derails in Missouri

MENDON, Mo. – A Chicago-bound Amtrak train with 243 passengers and 12 crew members onboard reportedly crashed Monday into a dump truck in Mendon, Missouri, about 80 miles northwest of Columbia, derailing eight cars and two locomotives.  It is being reported that several people have been killed and dozens injured in that derailment in central

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Forest Service seeks public comment on proposed restoration project in Southeast Missouri

ROLLA, Mo.  — The U.S. Forest Service, acting as a trustee for Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration, is seeking public input on a draft plan to restore resources injured by impacts from lead mining in southeast Missouri. We invite the public to review the plan, available beginning June 28, 2022 on the Mark Twain National

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IFRA disappointed in court ruling on signage requirements at gas pumps

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Federal District Court Judge Sue Myerscough denied a preliminary injunction last Friday regarding the recently passed law requiring gas stations to post signs on gas pumps touting the suspension of scheduled tax increases set for July 1st.  Judge Myerscough made a decision on this case without hearing any oral arguments from either party.

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ISP investigates officer-involved shooting in Mt. Vernon

MT. VERNON, Ill.- Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 7 agents are investigating a Mt. Vernon Police Department (MVPD) officer-involved shooting at the request of MVPD.  The incident occurred on June 25, 2022, at approximately 11:54 p.m. near 42nd Street at Veterans Avenue in Mt. Vernon. Preliminary information indicates MVPD officers responded

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Liberty Bell of the West Patriotic Ceremony at the Kaskaskia Site   July 4th, 2022, 1 p.m.

KASKASKIA, Ill. – The public is invited to attend the 52nd annual patriotic ceremony celebrating our nation’s independence Monday, July 4, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial on Kaskaskia Island in southwest Illinois.   The Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial houses the “Liberty Bell of the West” which was cast in 1741

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