Riverbender 🕸

SWANSEA — Launched in 2020 and relaunched in 2025 after a nearly four-year hiatus, the podcast Pondoff’s Anonymous is making significant strides in the St. Louis Metro East recovery and mental health community. With new episodes released every Monday, the show features guests from across the country discussing topics ranging from substance use and trauma to shame, identity, and healing. Hosted by Chris Pondoff, Jeff Allen, and Jakob Miller, the podcast blends unfiltered conversation, personal storytelling, and dark humor to create a relatable and impactful listening experience. Pondoff, who started the podcast as a creative outlet during his own recovery journey, emphasizes the importance of authenticity in their discussions. “We’re unfiltered. We curse, we laugh, and we’re serious—we don’t pretend to have it all figured out,” Pondoff said. “People don’t come to us for polished answers—they come because it’s real.&rdquo

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ALTON - The Alton First Responders Springfest opened to an excited crowd. Early on Friday, April 11, 2025, kids and community members were coming down to the Alton Amphitheater for the first day of the weeklong Springfest, a carnival that will raise money for first responders. Proceeds from ticket sales will be distributed to Alton’s first responders and organizations that support them. “Go down, have fun, because a percentage of the profits from the carnival is going to go to our first responders,” said Dan Herkert, Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair. “Hopefully it’s something that is successful and it turns into another annual event because of the fact that it’s benefiting some of our local heroes.” The Alton First Responders Springfest, the first of its kind, includes carnival games, rides, food and fun. The rides take tickets, and each ticket costs $2 or you can buy 16 tickets for $30. On Monday through Thursday, each ride only

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GODFREY - James "Jimmy" Militello, a Godfrey resident known for his kindness and warmth, was involved in a fatal automobile accident in Moro Township on Monday, April 7, 2025. The Godfrey Meat Market announced it will close its doors at noon on Saturday, April 12, to allow staff to pay their respects to James "Jimmy" Militello , a beloved employee. He was 21 years old. “James was an excellent employee with the kindest soul,” said Ian Warford, of the Godfrey Meat Market. “You know when someone has a good soul. And James embodied that, no doubt about it.” James' uncle said he was "a loving and caring boy that everyone loved." Militello was born on March 1, 2004. He was described by family and friends as a proud big brother who often shared stories about his siblings. Ian and his wife, Lori, remarked, “James was a really great brother, especially to his baby sister, and a good guy. I think all of us are pretty much in shock over it.” The visitation

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MADISON COUNTY - Authorities are investigating a two-vehicle crash that resulted in serious injuries and one fatality at approximately 5:35 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025. The incident occurred at the intersection of Illinois Route 159 and Renken Road. According to preliminary information from the Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8, a Black Buick, driven by a 22-year-old female from Collinsville, was traveling westbound on Renken Road when it entered the intersection. ISP said at that moment, a White GMC truck, operated by a 39-year-old male from Dorsey, was heading southbound on Illinois Route 159. For reasons that remain unclear, the Buick was struck on the passenger side by the GMC. The driver of the Buick sustained serious injuries and was subsequently flown to a regional hospital for treatment. A 21-year-old male passenger from Godfrey - James Militello - who was in the Buick, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the GMC reported no injuries, while a 32-year-old female

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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County residents are invited to a presentation to learn more about their property tax assessment. Roberts Law, a law firm located in Jerseyville, shared that they have spoken to many people who are “frustrated” by their recent property tax assessment. The presentations, scheduled for Sunday, April 13, and Monday, April 14, 2025, will explain the appeal process and answer questions. “I’ve had a number of calls from people in Jersey County who’ve indicated that they’re frustrated with the level of tax increase that they’re seeing, certainly above normal,” said Jeff Roberts with Roberts Law. “If people want to challenge the tax assessment that they have, they may not know how to go about it, and I wanted to be able to present the procedure to them and be able to answer questions that they might have.” The public information meetings are completely free and open to Jersey County residents. Roberts

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ALTON - The first session of the Recreation Institute in Alton (also referred to as the Play Institute) was held Friday evening, March 20, 1925, at the High School gymnasium. Alton Director of Community Recreation John D. MacWherter introduced John A. Martin, recreational specialist, to the assembled group. Martin worked for the Playground and Recreation Association of America and traveled all over the United States as a recreational consultant. Martin demonstrated active, quiet and musical games so that the attendees could play them and teach them to children. The participants learned games for the playground as well as parlor games and stunts. The Play Institute was held on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday nights at 8 p.m. for three weeks. Seventy-eight people ages 18 to 60 came to the first session, and 125 attended the second. On March 30, a separate Play Institute for the Black residents of Alton (referred to at the time as the “Play Institute for Colored Persons”)

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ALTON - iMerge Community Center has officially closed its doors. Located at 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton on the first floor of the Riverbender Building, iMerge was focused on serving tweens and teens. The center was also available for rent for parties and events. Director Brigit Holt expressed her appreciation for the community’s support over the years. “It was a wonderful experience,” she said. “To be able to come back, get to know the community and the youth in it, and to be able to offer them a place to hang out was a blessing, to say the least.” Holt shared that she studied middle school-aged youth in college, and their brain development was always “fascinating” to her. She believes “it’s really important” for tweens to have “healthy and fun spaces” like the community center. John Muller, co-owner of the Riverbender Building, echoed Holt. He expressed his commitment to keeping the first floor space a

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in a lawsuit challenging a restrictive Tennessee law making it a crime for adults to help minors seek reproductive health care outside of Tennessee due to that state’s near-total abortion ban. In the amicus brief, Raoul and the coalition argue that Tennessee’s law not only endangers the health of minors from Tennessee but also threatens the ability of other states’ medical providers and residents to help them access lawful abortion care outside of Tennessee’s borders. Tennessee bans abortion in nearly all cases, with no exceptions for survivors of rape or incest. “States across the nation continue to implement draconian bans on reproductive health care, endangering the lives of pregnant women to advance an extreme ideological agenda,” Raoul said. “Illinois proudly remains

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ST. LOUIS, MO. - The Greater St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross is pleased to announce LaKricia Cox as its new executive director. Cox brings nearly 20 years of experience in community engagement, nonprofit leadership, and social impact to the organization. “LaKricia brings a wealth of experience, including strong leadership and partnership skills to the organization, and we are excited to welcome her to the Red Cross family,” Barry Falke, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas. “Her passion, leadership, and commitment to making a difference align perfectly with our mission, and we are confident she will help us expand our reach and deepen our impact in the nineteen counties within our Greater St, Louis Chapter.” Cox has dedicated her career to advancing initiatives which promote education, equity, and community development with a strong emphasis on collaboration and sustainable change. She holds a Bachelor of

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 11 of their Senate Democratic colleagues in a letter to Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, demanding answers regarding the Administration’s decision to cancel funding for 10 National Institute of Standards and Technology Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers across the country. The action came on April 1, one day before Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imports which tanked the stock market and raised warnings from experts of a recession. “Small manufacturers rely on MEP Centers for essential support in adopting the latest advanced technologies, updating their cybersecurity, navigating supply chain challenges, and accessing workforce training—resources that are often out of reach for small businesses without this dedicated assistance,” th

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KAMPSVILLE - On March 21, 2025, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was notified of a Disturbance and Property Damage, at a residence in the 200 block of High St. in Kampsville, Calhoun County, Illinois. The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office began an investigation, collected evidence and conducted several witness interviews. Subsequent to that investigation, Lori A. Ross, age 54, of Kampsville, Illinois was arrested for the following offenses: Disorderly Conduct – False Report to 911 (Two Counts) Ross was arrested without incident and transported to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office for processing; after which she was released with a Notice to Appear at the Calhoun County Courthouse. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty.

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ALTON - The William L. Beatty Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse has been identified for accelerated disposition. Located at 501 Belle Street in Alton, t he William L. Beatty Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse serves as a social security administration office. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) listed the William L. Beatty Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on their list of assets identified for accelerated disposition on March 31, 2025. “GSA is focused on rightsizing the federal real estate portfolio to reduce the burden on the American taxpayer while also delivering space that enables its agency customers to achieve their missions,” GSA said in a statement. “This initiative aims to engage the market, attract interested parties, and inform strategies that will expedite the disposition of federal assets, consistent with all applicable laws.” This means ownership of the building and assets will be transferred. Anyone who is interested

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ALTON - The Alton First Responders Springfest invites the community to enjoy a carnival while supporting local first responders. The Springfest is a carnival, complete with rides, food and fun. A percentage of ticket sales will be distributed to Alton’s first responders and organizations that support them. The carnival opens at 5 p.m. tonight, April 11, 2025, and runs through Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Alton Amphitheater. “Go down, have fun, because a percentage of the profits from the carnival is going to go to our first responders,” said Dan Herkert, Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair. “Hopefully it’s something that is successful and it turns into another annual event because of the fact that it’s benefiting some of our local heroes.” The rides take tickets, and each ticket costs $2 or you can buy 16 tickets for $30. On Monday through Thursday, each ride only needs one ticket. On weekdays, the Springfest will run from 5–1

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MARYVILLE - A single-vehicle rollover crash occurred on Illinois Route 159 in Maryville at around 7 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025. Emergency responders from the Maryville Police and Fire departments arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. According to Maryville Fire Chief Doug Dankenbring, the patient involved in the crash was transported to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis as a precaution due to the nature of the rollover. At this time, officials have stated they are unaware of any severe injuries resulting from the crash. Further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident have not been released.

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department is actively seeking information on the whereabouts of Leonard James Kane, a non-compliant Violent Offender Against Youth, who has not registered as required since 2023. Kane's failure to comply with registration laws has resulted in an active warrant for his arrest. The police department's weekly Fugitive Friday post highlights Kane's status and urges the public to assist in locating him. According to police, Kane has not only failed to register but also no longer resides at his last known address. Authorities have emphasized the importance of public assistance in this matter. "Leonard, if you see this post - you can turn yourself in to any police department in Illinois or any surrounding state. We are open 24/7/365," a spokesperson for the Collinsville Police stated. Anyone with information regarding Kane's location is encouraged to contact the Collinsville Police Department at 618-344-2131 extension 5209. Tips can

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KANE – As part of the ongoing Jersey County Sheriff’s Office drug strategy, deputies from JCSO and officers from the Alton Police Department conducted a joint investigation of Tony K. Price, 48, of Kane. On the evening of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, that investigation led to an attempted traffic stop of Price and a female passenger in Alton. Price refused to stop and led APD officers on a pursuit into Jersey County where JCSO deputies joined. Price was pursued through Jersey County to West Centennial Road, where he drove into a field and disabled his vehicle. Price then fled from the vehicle on foot, while the passenger was apprehended in the car. Price was eventually tased and apprehended nearby. During a search of Price and the field in which he fled, more than one ounce of crystal methamphetamine was recovered. Price and his passenger were arrested at the scene and the vehicle was towed and impounded. On Thursday, April 10, 2025, Jersey County State’s Attorney

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SPRINGFIELD – Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) passed four bills through the Illinois House during a pivotal deadline week, all with unanimous support. HB 1724 allows highway naming resolutions to pass through only one chamber of the General Assembly. Currently, memorial road namings often get held up in the second chamber, limiting the ability to honor local heroes. HB 2139 updates and modernizes several parts of the America’s Central Port statute, to allow more efficient business operations at our local port. HB 2179 clarifies the reporting requirements for assisted living facilities to ensure incidents and accidents are properly reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health. HB 2863 requires transparency and robust notification when utility companies acquire water and sewer utilities. “These bills reflect my commitment to honoring our citizens, improving transparency, and supporting essential services across Illinois,” said Rep. Amy Elik

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EDWARDSVILLE - Community members gathered at Ivy Hall Dispensary for a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony. At 9 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, Ivy Hall Dispensary welcomed the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce and the community to their new location at 6197 Old Alton Edwardsville Road in Edwardsville. Director of Marketing Jonny Boucher expressed the dispensary’s excitement to engage with the community in Edwardsville. “We have nothing but the biggest desire to be as involved in the community as possible,” he said. “Whether you’re a Chamber member or if you’re a business that wants to do some more stuff with Ivy Hall, because we love hanging out with our community members, by all means, that’s what we’re here to do. Again, this is not just ours. It’s the community’s.” Throughout the day on April 11, shoppers can enjoy “canna-gifts,” specials and more, including free tacos from Takozz

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JERSEYVILLE - In conjunction with Jerseyville Banking Center, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students of the Month”. The recipients for the month of March are Haylie Eilerman (10) (right) & Cali Breden (11) (left). The selection of a “Student of the Month” is based upon the number of F.O.C.U.S. nominations, which a student receives for a given month. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding One Clearly Unique Student) is a program, which acknowledges a student each week for academic or kindness. Each week teachers may recognize students who have performed well in their classes by selecting them as F.O.C.U.S. students for that particular week. During March, Haylie & Cali received the most F.O.C.U.S. nominations. Because they received the most nominations, they were named “Students of the Month” at JCHS. They are being congratulated by Maddie Jackson of Jerseyville Banking Center. In conjunction with CNB Bank & Trust, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students o

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the CST Aviation Subcommittee—joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), along with U.S. Representatives Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), in pressing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau on the recent Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system outages and the status of past-due upgrades to the system. In the letter, the lawmakers underscored the importance of modernizing this system to keep pilots and millions of passengers who fly every day safe. “We write to you to request information on the recent temporary outages of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system as well as an update on efforts to modernize the system,” said the lawmakers. “Pilots rely on the NOTAM system to remain aware of safety

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