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ALTON - With the announcement that Alton Little Theater has hired a new executive director, current Artistic Director Kevin Frakes is preparing to step down. Frakes has worked with Alton Little Theater (ALT) for 57 years. He will retire in December after the theater’s run of “A Christmas Carol,” which Frakes is directing. “I’m ready,” Frakes said. “I’ve been there for over 50 years, and I think it’s time.” Frakes said he regularly spends 12–14 hours a day at the theater. In addition to directing, he builds sets and completes administrative tasks for ALT. Lee Cox, current executive director, will also be stepping down in 2025. She plans to take on a mentorship role through May while the new executive director, Eric Sykes, assumes the position in January. Sykes’s new role will combine the positions of executive director and artistic director. “Dear Kevin Frakes will be retiring after ‘A

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ALTON - Backstoppers will host a 9-Pin Bowling fundraiser to support local first responders. Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Bowl Haven Lanes in Alton, community members can enjoy three games of bowling, a strikepot, a silent auction, a bake sale and more. All proceeds go directly to Backstoppers, which benefits local police departments, fire departments and emergency services. “ everybody coming out and donating and showing their support and seeing everybody, seeing the guys stop in and taking their pictures, seeing what we’re doing for them,” said Melissa, one of the organizers. The event encourages community members to have fun at the bowling alley while donating to Backstoppers. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. DJ Lightning and Thunder will provide music. The top three bowlers will receive prizes. There are also several silent auction items available, from an alcohol basket to gift cards to a doggie basket. The

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ALTON - The Mississippi Earthtones Festival offers free entertainment and art for community members to enjoy. From 12–10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at the Alton Amphitheater, people can enjoy the 18th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival (MEF), complete with art exhibits, vendors, live music and environmental education. This year’s theme is “Emerge and Be Heard.” “It is absolutely at its heart about celebrating being a river community,” said Sara McGibany. “The Mississippi is our biggest natural asset. We use it for everything from recreation and commerce to everything in between. It just runs through our entire lives. So this is our opportunity to get everybody together. It’s really concerned about protecting our waterways and making sure that we’re all living our most environmentally-friendly lives that we can.” McGibany is the executive director of Alton Main Street, one of the organizations that sponsors

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ALTON - Another redevelopment agreement using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is on the agenda for the Alton Committee of the Whole’s consideration and possible approval on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. The item appears on Monday’s agenda as a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a redevelopment agreement with Honke Properties LLC, in accordance with the city’s TIF program. The project consists of improvements to a piece of real estate whose legal description is associated with the address 307 Henry St. in Alton. This property is a multi-story brick building on the corner of Henry and East 3rd Street which houses multiple businesses, including Honke Properties. The full scope of the project includes “interior accessibility improvements, including elevator modernization and hydraulic jack replacement.” While the total cost of the project is estimated at $74,545, the City of Alton has agreed to contribute $18,636 towards its completion, according to

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s fall 2024 enrollment stands at 11,893 a 1.26% decrease compared to the previous fall term. Our student body for fall 2024 comprises scholars from diverse backgrounds, representing 45 U.S. states (Guam and Puerto Rico included) and 66 countries. This fall, we welcomed 1,534 first-time, full-time students. SIUE has focused attention on transfer relationships to create clearer pathways for students to make seamless transitions. This year brought an increase of 6% in transfer student enrollment. This number is also bolstered by the greater availability of online degree completion programs, with Business Administration as a leader with strong enrollment. SIUE also realized notable enrollment growth in dual credit and early college students by 31%, and a 7.9% increase in international enrollment, resulting in the largest class of international undergraduates and the highest overall enrollment of international students

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EDWARDSVILLE - Local rugby club Metro East Mayhem is gearing up for the start of the season on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 for their increasingly popular youth rugby program. Featuring multiple age groups, levels of contact, experienced coaches and more, the program offers a great way to get kids outdoors while learning skills to use on and off the rugby field. Caleb, Corey, and Kegan, three coaches for the youth rugby program, appeared on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com in anticipation of the season starting as the program continues into its third year. The youth rugby program offers options for multiple age ranges with varying levels of contact. These include the “full-contact” age group for ages 11-13 and the “non-contact” group from ages 6 to 8 - but the program is also proud to introduce a brand-new age category for “kind-of contact fundamentals,” designed for kids ages 8-10. Caleb said this new “middle group” provides

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EAST ALTON — A juvenile was struck by a vehicle in the 400 block of North Center Street on Friday, prompting a response from the East Alton Fire Department. Firefighters arrived at the scene and found the injured pedestrian near Kutter Park. Due to the severity of the injuries, an Arch Medical Helicopter was summoned to transport the victim. The juvenile was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis for further treatment. Further details on the victim’s condition have not been released. The road was shut down.

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GODFREY - In a ceremonial gesture that underscores the enduring partnership between the Village of Godfrey and Godfrey Fire Protection District, Mayor Mike McCormick presented Fire Protection District Trustee Gerard Fischer with a $50,000 check. This considerable sum represents the fifth annual installment Godfrey has made toward the purchase of Firetruck #1422, a critical asset in the district’s emergency response fleet. This agreement has not only facilitated the acquisition of this vital vehicle but also cemented the financial cooperation between the two entities. Ten payments will be made via this agreement, for a total of $500,000. The check presentation took place at the new firehouse, located at 3023 Godfrey Road, in front of personnel and Firetruck #1422. Mayor McCormick lauded Trustee Fischer for his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Godfrey’s residents. “This is more than just a transaction, it’s a testament to the collaborative

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WEST ALTON, MO – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Rivers Project Office is announcing its first Annual Deer Hunt for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces (Active-Duty included), in cooperation with the Olin Veterans Network and MO Vets Outdoors. The hunt will be held December 13th and 14th, 2024, with a hunt overview and meal provided on December 13th at 10 A.M. Applications are available at the Rivers Project Office and are due by October 9th, 2024. Applications may be dropped off to the Rivers Project Office at 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386 or submitted via by email to Josh Pierce at Joshua.D.Pierce@USACE.Army.Mil . This hunt will allow for archery antlerless-only harvest only. Permits will not be provided. Hunters must provide their own Missouri hunting permits and archery equipment to legally and ethically harvest an antlerless whitetail in the state of Missouri during the 2024/2025 archery season. Proper licensing/permitting and equipment will be inspected

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police conducted an impaired driving enforcement effort over Labor Day weekend, resulting in 6 arrests for driving under the influence. Additionally, 19 seat belt citations were issued, 23 speeding citations, 13 distracted driving citations and 25 other citations were issued. “Through the Labor Day safety campaign, we helped to make our roads safer and spread the word about the risks of impaired driving – ‘It’s not a game,’” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. The Edwardsville Police Department collaborated with other law enforcement agencies and highway safety partners across the state for the Illinois Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” campaign. This effort was part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High. Get a DUI” and “Click It or Ticket” initiatives, funded by federal highway safety funds through

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CHICAGO – The transformation of Chicago-to-St. Louis passenger rail, including the introduction of higher speeds, is a finalist for the grand prize in the America’s Transportation Awards, the top honor for state departments of transportation. The multi-year project on the state’s most popular rail line was recognized for establishing 110 mph speeds for the first time in Illinois, helping to better connect communities and major institutions while improving safety, convenience and accessibility. “We are proud to receive this recognition for our efforts on behalf of Illinois and excited to showcase the crucial role our state plays as the transportation hub of North America,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “This project has made measurable improvements to people’s lives and helps ensure our communities are even better places to work, live and raise a family.”

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater has a new executive director. Eric Sykes will step into the role starting in January. Kevin Frakes, the artistic director, will be retiring after his run of “A Christmas Carol” concludes in December, and current executive director Lee Cox will take on a mentorship role as she finishes out the 91st season through May 2025. Sykes’s new role will combine the two positions. “Stepping into one role is hard enough. Having both of those combined is going to be challenging,” Sykes said. “But I’ve always thrived on challenge, so I think it’s going to be good for me and hopefully great for Alton.” Sykes said he fell in love with theater during high school. He continued to act through college and eventually found his way to community theater. He currently serves as the managing director at Alfresco Performing Arts Center in Granite City, where he is directing his final show, “Legally Blonde.”

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BELLEVILLE — Luke Breunig is a Belleville East High School alum who feels right at home at the school in his hometown. Brueunig recently graduated from the University of Illinois with an English degree and a minor in creative writing. He expressed enthusiasm about returning to Belleville East as a teacher, stating, "I'm excited to teach at East because it feels like home. I learned a lot in my time as a student, and I'm excited to start giving back as a teacher." Breunig enjoys reading, writing, music, and art in his free time. Belleville East High School issued a statement and said that it "looks forward to the contributions Breunig will bring to the English department and the positive impact he will have on students."

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GODFREY - ABS Workout Plans and Tropical Smoothie Cafe recently collaborated for a free event that benefited the Alton Police Department’s K9 program. On Aug. 31, 2024, attendees could enjoy a free workout and smoothie samples at ABS Workout Plans at 620 Armsway Boulevard in Godfrey. Donations were encouraged, and all proceeds went to the APD’s K9 unit. Abby, who owns ABS Workout Plans, explained that the event highlighted her interest in working with other businesses to give back. “We really want to keep going and keep growing,” Abby said. “What is a good way that we can promote a new business and give back to the community and also work together in a way that they’re offering different healthy things and we're offering fitness? Those go hand-in-hand, so I’m like, let’s do something.” Abby said she called Tropical Smoothie Cafe manager Tatem at 7 a.m. to talk about her idea, and Tatem was immediately on board. Both businesses

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Phillip E. Tucker, a 37-year-old mail carrier from Madison, pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing a Visa gift card from a collection box in Granite City. Tucker, an employee of the U.S. Postal Service, admitted to the theft which occurred on May 6, 2023. The guilty plea was entered for one count of theft of mail by a postal employee, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. "Mail carriers are entrusted public servants, and postal workers who steal from collection boxes willingly break that trust. I commend the investigators for holding this defendant accountable," said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe in a statement. Court documents revealed that Tucker used the stolen gift card on several occasions for personal purchases. The investigation was led by the USPS Office of the Inspector General, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard. Tucker is scheduled for sentencing at the federal courthouse

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Today, we take a look back at some of the most pivotal moments in history that occurred on September 6th. The First Continental Congress (1774) On September 6, 1774, the First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With delegates from twelve of the thirteen American colonies, this gathering was a crucial step in the colonies' quest for independence from British rule. The Congress aimed to address the colonies' grievances against the British government, particularly the Intolerable Acts that had been imposed earlier that year. This assembly set the stage for the American Revolutionary War and the eventual Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was a defining moment that paved the way for the birth of the United States of America. The Discovery of the First Asteroid (1888) On this day in 1888, German astronomer Carl Gustav Witt discovered the first asteroid, 433 Eros, from the Urania Observatory in Berlin. This discovery was groundbreaking as

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GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Fire Department responded to a structure fire on the 2100 block of Lee Avenue late Thursday night. Firefighters arrived at the scene around 11:15 p.m. to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the house. Upon arrival, the department deployed its ladder truck and used the nozzle to flow water through a window. The firefighters managed to bring the fire under control swiftly. The house appeared to be vacant, and no individuals were inside at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

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ALTON - The Alton Expo opens this weekend with carnival rides, fair food, live music and vendors. Starting on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, community members can enjoy the event all weekend at the Alton Amphitheater. Admission to the Alton Expo is free. “When that Ferris wheel goes up, people know it’s the Expo,” said Dan Herkert, Amphitheater Commission Chair. “It’s an event that anybody can come to, and there’s something for everybody between the rides, the food, the beverages and the different musical options. We’re really hoping that we have another good crowd again this year. The community has really supported this event since it came back.” The Expo is open from 5–10 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. Polly and the Pocket, which Herkert describes as “a high-energy, female-fronted alternative rock band,” will play at 7 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, you can check out the Expo from 5–11 p.m. with music

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ALTON - The Mississippi Earthtones Festival, presented by Alton Main Street and the Sierra Club, is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation. The 18th annual event will be held at the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. There is no charge for admission. Each year, MEF introduces a fresh theme along with an exciting array of new components. This year's theme, "Emerge and Be Heard," reflects the festival's coming of age at 18—a pivotal time filled with important decisions. Additionally, it honors the simultaneous emergence of the 13-year Brood alongside the 17-year Brood, symbolizing a powerful moment of growth and connection. Local artists have been commissioned to build large installations to enhance the festival grounds. The Riverbend Yarn Bombers are knitting & crocheting a colorful textile cottage and garden, cultivating a space for the community in a fantasy environment that inspires growth and stewardship of th

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BELLEVILLE - Employees of Revity Credit Union united during the month of August to raise $1,230.00 in support of SWIC Programs and Services for Older Persons Foster Grandparent Program through their Revel for a Cause Jeans Program. The Revel for a Cause Jeans Program is an employee funded program that gives Revity Credit Union employees the opportunity to support the credit union philosophy of people helping people. By making a monthly, monetary donation to a local organization, Revity Credit Union employees can wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month. At Revity Credit Union, our commitment lies in supporting our community and prioritizing our members' well-being. We have proudly selected SWIC Programs and Services for the Older Persons Foster Grandparent Program in Belleville as the recipient of our Revel for a Cause donation. This choice was rooted in their dedication to enriching the lives of seniors and other individuals through engaging, health-promoting,

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