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AFL-CIO Endorses Manar

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AFL-CIO Endorses Andy Manar for State Senate

Springfield—Representing nearly 900,000 working men and women across the State through 1,500 local affiliates, the Illinois AFL-CIO has given an early endorsement to Macoupin County Board Chairman Andy Manar for the State Senate in the 48th District.

“Andy will take a solid track record of accomplishment and getting things done in Macoupin County to the State Senate,” said Michael Carrigan, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO. “Labor is excited to have a candidate that is willing to listen and discuss important issues to working families. Andy will be an outstanding Senator and will fight to bring good jobs to communities across the 48th District.”

Manar is a lifelong resident of Macoupin County. In 2001, he was elected Mayor of his home town of Bunker Hill at the age of 25 and was later elected Macoupin County Board in 2003. Less than a year later, Manar was elected as the Chairman of the Board by his fellow Board members and continues to serve in that capacity.

“I share the AFL-CIO’s commitment to creating good paying jobs throughout the State and I’m honored to receive their endorsement,” said Manar.

In addition to the AFL-CIO endorsement, Manar has earned the endorsement of the Southwestern Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, the Decatur Building and Construction Trades Council, IBEW Local #146 in Decatur, the Illinois Pipe Trades Association, the Illinois State Council of Machinists, the Illinois State Council of Operating Engineers, SEIU Local #73, SEIU Illinois Council, the Southern and Central Illinois Laborer’s District Council, the Southwestern Illinois Laborer’s District Council, and the Madison County Democratic Party.

Manar and his wife Trista reside in Bunker Hill three blocks from his boyhood home and have three children: Abbie (6), Will (4) and Ben (2).

The 48th Senate District includes Christian and Montgomery Counties as well as parts of Macon, Macoupin, Madison and Sangamon Counties.

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Blackburn College sets fall admisson open house events

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Meet Professors and Current Students, Learn about Opportunities, Tour Campus, and Get Instant Admissions Decisions at the Events

CARLINVILLE, ILL. — Interested students and families will have two opportunities to learn more about Blackburn College this fall. The Admissions and Financial Aid teams will host Open House events on Monday, October 14, and Monday, November 11, beginning at 8:30 am. These events allow future first-time and transfer students to gather important information about the college application process.

Throughout their time on campus, prospective students and their families will explore and tour the beautiful 80-acre campus, make personal connections with current students and professors, and get to know what life is like as a Blackburn student. They will also see first-hand Blackburn’s unique approach to education—where students earn their degrees while building impactful skills and gaining real-world work experience–giving graduates a four-year head start to launch their future careers.

For Justin Norwood, Vice President for Inclusive Enrollment and a Blackburn graduate, these opportunities are valuable for prospective students and families because nothing is more important than finding a school that will be the best fit. “Finding the right college is more than just academics; it’s discovering a place where students feel supported and inspired to thrive,” Norwood said. “At Blackburn, our open house events provide an opportunity to experience what makes our community unique – the close mentoring relationships with peers and professors, the ability to build critical skills and gain real-world work experience, and a personalized financial aid approach that goes beyond affordability and is designed to meet the specific needs of every student.” 

Blackburn’s Admissions and Financial Aid team will be available throughout the event to answer all your questions, including about opportunities like the Macoupin Promise – where qualified graduates of Macoupin County high schools can attend Blackburn tuition-free. For more information and to register for an event, go to blackburn.edu/visit or email admissions@blackburn.edu.

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Gillespie, Benld among county libraries participating in library crawl

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Gillespie Public Library (Photo by Gillespie Public Library)

Seven libraries in Macoupin County will welcome new visitors throughout October with a program sponsored by the region’s library system.

The 6th Annual Library Crawl invites patrons to explore new libraries throughout the Illinois Heartland Library System, which composes the southern half of the state. The Crawl also demonstrates the benefits of a library card, which allows users to check out materials from the libraries they visit.

Some 173 libraries across central and southern Illinois are taking part in the Crawl, including Gillespie, Staunton, Mount Olive, Carlinville, Brighton, Virden, and Benld. The event runs from October 1 through October 31.

The first Library Crawl was introduced in 2019 by the Bethalto Public Library, which continues to coordinate the event. The idea was designed to encourage library users to explore the resources of other libraries that are available to request and check out with a valid library card.

Twenty-eight libraries participated in that first year, a number that has now increased over six-fold.

Patrons may pick up a passport for the Crawl at any participating library, and try to visit at least five libraries during the event. A few enthusiastic individuals have actually visited every library on the Crawl in past years.

At each new library, visitors may stop at the main circulation desk to have their passports stamped. To complete the Crawl, patrons may simply return their passports to their home library.

Some libraries also offer special treats for visitors on the Crawl. After any visit to a participating library, patrons are invited to take pictures to post on social media, under the hashtag #IHLSLibraryCrawl2024.

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Many libraries are closed in observance of Columbus Day on October 14, so anyone planning a visit should call ahead, to check on hours of operation.

For more information on the Crawl, visit www.illinoisheartland.org or call any of the participating libraries. 

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St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary sponsors final drive-thru dinner

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Proceeds benefit St. Francis Cancer Center

LITCHFIELD, Ill. — The HSHS St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor their sixth and final drive-thru dinner for 2024 on Monday, Oct. 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. to support the hospital’s Cancer Center expansion project.

Dinners must be ordered by noon on Monday, Oct. 7. Online ordering will not be available for this final meal, but dinner may still be ordered in the hospital gift shop or by contacting Paula Endress at 217-324-8200.

The Oct. 14 drive-thru dinner pick up will take place in front of the main hospital entrance.

The meal will feature a grilled pork chop, loaded mashed potatoes, green beans, roll and a dessert. Cost per meal is $14.

For more information about HSHS St. Francis Hospital, visit stfrancis-litchfield.org.

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