Riverbender 🕸

PATOKA - If Nancy Ansley asks you who your favorite musician is, there’s really only one right answer. Dressed as Michael Jackson, Ansley regularly impersonates the famous pop star at parties and charity events. But it’s more than just a performance. She truly feels a connection to Jackson and the impact he had on the world. “I get real emotional about it. I put on a show and it’s inspiring, and it’s more motivated to do better in this world,” Ansley said. “We show videos, and it shows how inspiring he really was. And people feel it because when I’m performing, I don’t just do it. I feel. They come up to me and they tell me, ‘You did him justice.’” Ansley never intended to be a performer. What started as a costume for a party “just escalated” into the full Jackson performances that she does now, often alongside her brother, who impersonates Elvis Presley. “It’s fun because it’s

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ALTON - Alton Police Department was called to an accident at 1:31 p.m. on Monday, June 26, involving two vehicles on Piasa Street at the intersection of W 3rd Street. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said a preliminary investigation revealed that one of the involved vehicles was traveling southbound on Piasa Street and made an attempt to turn left onto West Third Street. In doing so, Chief Ford said it failed to yield to the other involved vehicle which was traveling northbound on Piasa Street. The vehicle traveling north subsequently struck the vehicle that turned in its path. " Both vehicles were towed from the scene. No involved parties immediately sought medical attention.

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ALTON - Community members and organization leaders gathered to honor Alton High School’s first Black graduate, Charles Newton, and his wife, Sara Newton Cohron, with a gravesite dedication and proclamation on June 24. Lacy McDonald, genealogy and local history manager for the Hayner Public Library District (and secretary of the Vintage Voices Committee), spoke at the event and gave insight into the current grave marker’s history. McDonald said that Vintage Voices, the Hayner Public Library District, and Ralph Bowles at Gent Funeral Home teamed up to install a marker at the Newtons’ gravesite in September of 2022, but waited until June 24 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Newton’s graduation from AHS. Kristie Baumgartner, superintendent of the Alton School District, said the site carries historical significance for both Alton and Alton High School, highlighting the societal differences of Newton’s time. “The placement of the

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CHICAGO – On June 22, 2023, the Illinois State Police (ISP) arrested 36-year-old Saul Martinez Castanon of Berkeley, Illinois, who is suspected of pointing a laser pointer at aircraft flying overhead. These laser pointers have been a national issue for aviators for several year. When pointed into an aircraft cockpit, the light can temporarily blind pilots as they navigate busy airspace or land the aircraft. “Targeting aircraft with a laser pointer creates a safety threat that can put the lives of hundreds of passengers at risk,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Our ISP Air Operations did a phenomenal job identifying the source of the light and working with officers on the ground to arrest the suspect.” At approximately 9:45 Thursday evening, ISP Air-6 Troopers, a spotter and pilot, were participating in Special Operations Group Operation Safe Drive . While in the air, they reported being contacted by a hand-held device that emits amplified

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WOOD RIVER - An 18-year-old Jerseyville man died this morning at a St. Louis area hospital from injuries suffered in a fatal two-vehicle crash in Wood River at 11:31 p.m. on Saturday, June 24. The person, who was a passenger in the Dodge Charger, was identified as Gregory G. Kuehnel, 18, of Jerseyville. Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said the Wood River Police Department received a report of a two-vehicle rollover traffic crash at the intersection of Illinois Route 3 and Illinois Route 143 on Saturday evening. Multiple officers responded to the scene, along with the Wood River Fire Department. "Upon officer arrival, medical assistance was rendered to three people who were traveling in a 2023 Dodge Charger and the lone occupant who was traveling in a 2021 Ford Bronco," Chief Wells said. "Two of the passengers in the Charger were airlifted to a St. Louis area hospital from the scene. The driver of each vehicle was transported by ambulance to a St. Louis area hospital." Wood River

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HARDIN - A Camp Point man is facing multiple charges after a traffic stop at 12:42 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20, at the intersection of Illinois Route 100 and Hamburg-Michael Road in Michael. Calhoun Sergeant Zach Hardin said occupants of the vehicle provided a false name for the driver, and after multiple requests to exit the vehicle, fled from the traffic stop, traveling west on Hamburg-Michael Road. The suspect vehicle attempted to turn around in the parking lot of a local business in Michael. At that time, Sergeant Hardin conducted a "high-risk stop" of the vehicle, ordering both occupants out of the vehicle. Both occupants continued to refuse to comply with commands. Illinois Conservation Police Officer Jordan Roundcount arrived on scene to assist Sergeant Hardin. After several minutes of refusing to obey commands, two suspects were taken into custody without any use of force. Law Enforcement Officials from Greene County also arrived on scene to assist in the traffic

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EDWARDSVILLE - The EHS Tiger Talk Podcast Network will receive a $1,320 grant from the Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Foundation. The award is part of the Illinois High School Journalism Grants Program offered by the Illinois Press Foundation and financially sponsored for a third consecutive year by Illinois Farm Bureau. EHS was one of 19 recipients across the state and will use the grant money to purchase two microphones, mic stand, digital voice recorder, stream deck, capture card, webcam, green screen backdrop, and Ring light kit. The EHS Tiger Talk Podcast Network concluded a successful first season during the 2022-23 school year in which students produced two weekly podcasts, including The Jungle, the official EHS sports podcast, and Tiger Spotlight, a podcast that highlights the Tiger community. The two podcasts produced a total of 54 episodes with 1,409 plays. “With this grant, we look forward to expanding this initiative as we move into the

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GODFREY - The Madison County Sheriff's Office engaged in a foot pursuit of a suspect after a deputy conducted a traffic stop at 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, at Vollmer Lane at Valley Road in Godfrey. The suspect was brought into custody with the help of a local homeowner. "During this traffic stop, the driver fled on foot," Madison County Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido said. "The driver later fled onto a nearby property, in the 2700 block of Winter Lane in Godfrey. With the assistance of that homeowner, the driver was taken into custody." Pulido said suspected illegal drugs were located in the situation. "The driver is currently in custody at the Madison County Jail, pending formal warrant application through the Madison County State's Attorney's Office," Pulido said.

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band is proud to announce a not-to-be-missed concert in City Park this Thursday, featuring a captivating program of patriotic music. Under the baton of Dr. Rubén Darío Gómez, the band will showcase the immortal works of legendary composers John Philip Sousa and John Williams, as well as a stirring composition by the band's very own euphonium player, Dr. Kim Archer. "We are thrilled to present this extraordinary patriotic concert in City Park," said Steve Wehling, the Chairman of the Edwardsville Municipal Band. "The music of Sousa and John Williams is beloved by all, and we are excited to share the talents of our own Dr. Kim Archer with the community through her incredible composition. It will be an unforgettable evening of patriotic celebration, and we invite everyone to join us for this special event." The concert will take place in City Park on Thursday, June 29 at 8 p.m. and again at the American Legion on Saturday,

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GODFREY - Beverly Farm Foundation welcomed Illinois State Senator, 56 th District, Erica Harriss on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. During her visit to Beverly Farm, Senator Harriss met with Beverly Farm Foundation CEO Crystal Officer, residents and staff from all levels of the organization. Accompanying Senator Harriss was Trina M. Vetter, District Director for Senator Harriss, 56 th Illinois Senate District. “As a State Senator, it’s important for me to get to know the constituents in my district,” said Senator Harriss. “Visiting Beverly Farm provided an opportunity to see firsthand the good work done by this nonprofit, as well as meet and speak with some of its residents, staff and senior leadership.” Beverly Farm is one of the largest employers in the Riverbend area and is currently celebrating its 125 th anniversary. Senator Harriss’ tour of the Beverly Farm campus included visits to the nonprofit’s Equestrian Center, one of its group homes

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JERSEYVILLE - Two individuals have been charged with possession of several stolen items, including hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a GoPro camera, and several other items after both had previously been convicted of felonies, according to recent Jersey County court filings. Brenda L. Bonney, 53, of Murphy, Mo., was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and theft in an amount between $500 to $10,000. Patrick A. Greenwell, 40, of Brighton, was also charged with the same offenses, as well as unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Both were charged on June 20, 2023. The stolen items in this case include, but are not limited to, “three hundred seventy-two (372) .22 caliber rounds of firearm ammunition, a silver silverware set, a Daytona Bike Week 2000 Harley Davidson Hat, a GoPro 3 plus camera with accessories, a Vintorio Wine Aerator, and a portable welding kit,” according to court records. Greenwell also reportedly possessed less than five grams of

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker joined federal, state, and local officials, along with the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, the Union Pacific Railroad, and project supporters at Union Station today to celebrate the start of 110 mph passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Louis. This multi-year project better connects the state’s communities and major institutions while improving safety, convenience, and accessibility. Starting with the first trains on Amtrak’s state-supported Lincoln Service this morning, the higher speeds are eliminating approximately 15 minutes from the previous 90 mph runtimes between the two cities and 30 minutes from the initial 79 mph schedule in place when the project broke ground. “Illinois is the only state where all seven of the nation’s largest railroads operate. That’s a unique economic advantage recognized by employers across the globe, helping our state attract and maintain quality jobs,” said Governor

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WOOD RIVER - Drake Champlin, an upcoming junior, had quite a season for the East Alton-Wood River baseball squad in 2023. He was All-Conference this year and is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month. Champlin thanked his parents for all their dedication and the time they have spent with him since he started playing Select Baseball at 7 years old. "I am thankful to all the coaches who have helped me reach my potential and who keep working with me to keep getting better," he said. "I would like to thank my parents for carting me around and being my biggest supporters." Champlin is a hard worker who trains both during the season and in the off-season. "I am very dedicated to this sport and have spent a lot of time at 643 in East Alton, hitting and other training during the season and also in the off-season," Champlin said. "I have been playing baseball for nine years. I have been a catcher for nine years and I really enjoy pitching as well. I just love the game of

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HUNTSVILLE, Texas - The students listed on the Dean's List of Academic Honors at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, are undergraduates who have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.5 out of a perfect 4.0 in all work attempted while enrolled in not less than 12 semester hours. The university would like to recognize the following area student for earning the honor for the Spring 2023 semester. Glen Carbon's Ryan Hicks.

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You will find a comprehensive list of fireworks and Independence Day celebrations around the area below. SATURDAY, JULY 1 BRIGHTON: Brighton, IL will host an Independence Day At The Park event on Saturday, July 1 at Schneider Park beginning with a Kid's Fishing Derby & Casting Contest at 8:30 a.m. Festivities will include food, vendors, and music throughout the day. Fireworks at dusk. EDWARDSVILLE: The City of Edwardsville and American Legion Post #199 are teaming up to provide an all day celebration of our nation's independence on Saturday, July 1. Festivities will include musical performances by Lanny and Julie from 4-6:30 p.m. and The Edwardsville Municipal Band from 7-9 p.m., food, and vendors throughout the day. Fireworks at approx. 9 p.m. GIRARD: Girard, IL will host their Annual Fireworks Show on Saturday, July 1 at Sunset Lake. Fireworks at dusk. GRANITE CITY: Granite City, IL will host a series of Patriots in the Park events at Wilson Park beginning

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna Vicki LaRose, president of Civil Design, Inc.(CDI), and Civil Giving, CDI’s charitable branch, has started the first endowed scholarship for the School of Engineering’s (SOE) new four-year degree in surveying and geomatics .“Without my degree from SIUE, I would not be where I am today running a successful company for the last 26 years,” said LaRose. “As a civil engineer, I know our projects cannot start without a survey. Surveying is a specialized field, and it needed its own requirements different from construction or civil engineering.” “We are grateful for the support and encouragement of Civil Design, Inc. to address both the industry demand for surveying and geomatics professionals and the financial needs of our students,” said Chris Gordon, PhD, associate dean in the SOE. This pioneering endowed scholarship will enhance the opportunities available to our students

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ALTON - A new experimental film photography and darkroom studio opens at Jacoby Arts Center next month. Four pop-up workshops are available for registration in July, with weekly darkroom and film photography classes beginning in August. Executive Director Rachel Lappin and the Jacoby Board of Directors are pleased to announce the newest addition to their educational programming- a darkroom and experimental film photography studio. The darkroom will be housed in the former commercial kitchen space of the art center, located on Broadway in the Jacoby Arts & Entertainment District in downtown Alton. Utilizing grant funding from the Alton Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Jacoby has cultivated a darkroom studio to rival the best in the area. An extensive collection of enlargers and a wide variety of educational classes are at the forefront of the program's offerings. “We are excited to offer this new program!” says Lappin. “Jacoby’s mission is

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined their Senate Democratic Caucus colleagues to introduce a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The Senators’ resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ+ Americans have made to our country, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ+ Americans, and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality. The resolution also recognizes the progress that has been made with the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act and the legal recognition of workplace protections for transgender people while acknowledging the continued attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people taking place in our legal institutions. “This weekend, cities across the globe—including Chicago—will be hosting their annual Pride parades. It will be a chance to join together in celebrating the LGBTQ+

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BETHALTO - When Bill and Diana Sloan opened their thrift shop, Sloan’s This & That, in March, they found a new community in the town they call home. “We want to be part of the community. We want to be involved in the community,” Bill said. “Our goal is to give our customers the best deals in the Riverbend.” Sloan’s This & That, located at 401 West Bethalto Drive, describes itself as “a mom-and-pop thrift store.” It’s easy to see why. The business is both veteran- and woman-owned, and just a few months after they opened, it has already become a local hotspot for furniture, jewelry, glassware and much more. For the owners, Sloan’s This & That is a dream come true. Both Alton natives, the Sloans moved around for a bit but eventually settled back in Bethalto. Diana used to manage a thrift shop and missed the experience. When the couple returned to Bethalto, she began going to auctions and organizing yard sales, which Bil

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O'FALLON, Il. - HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital recently welcomed high school students from across southwestern Illinois for its first Healthcare Bootcamp event of the year. The bootcamp for juniors and seniors interested in a career in health care is designed to give students a realistic look into various health care roles while also allowing an opportunity to make connections in the field. “Through these job shadowing opportunities, students are able to understand the roles and responsibilities of a health care career by allowing them a deeper look, which in turn will provide motivation to learn the role of the career, type of education that is required, skills that are performed, and network with our health care professionals,” says Gavin Halpin, community sourcing strategist at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and organizer of the Healthcare Bootcamp. “These students were able to experience hands-on skill sessions, and network with health care professionals

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