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EAST ALTON – Welcome in the spooky season by learning all about bats with biologist and bat researcher Brittany Rogness at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s next Neighbor Night event, Oct. 17. For many, bats have become synonymous with Halloween, but some may not be aware that they also serve an important ecological function by keeping insect populations at bay. “Bats are an important part of a healthy ecosystem and to modern agriculture because they love to eat crop-destroying insects,” NGRREC sm Environmental Educator Erica Doerr said. This month’s topic expert, Rogness joined the Illinois Bat Conservation Program in 2020 and has been researching bats in the Midwest for eight years. She is passionate about contributing to the conservation of bats across the state. “I’m excited to teach guests about the Illinois Bat Conservation Program and how they can help scientists monitor bats in the State of Illinois,”

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ALTON - A few local authors are officially international bestsellers, and they’re celebrating by sharing their wisdom at the first-ever “Perfectly I’Mperfect” Women’s Empowerment Summit on Nov. 4, 2023. “We’re not expecting people to get in there and then just all of a sudden run out and change the world,” Tara Hurst said. “What we’re hoping is that a teeny tiny spark is lit so that they’re willing to change themselves.” The summit is scheduled from 8–2:30 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2023, at Julia’s Banquet Center in Alton. Six speakers will address topics in mindset, spirituality and health and wellness. Organizers Hurst and Nina DeAngelo emphasized that these are valuable lessons, but the summit’s main goal is to bring women together. “The purpose of the summit is to create a community for women who are looking for that group that they can meld with and become part of to lift them up and help

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Homecoming & Family Weekend has launched with 27 events and more than a thousand registered for the key celebration: the COUGARFEST Block Party. This signature event, complete with the live band Jackson and Mars, food trucks and games, is an opportunity for visitors to the campus community to meet SIUE Athletic Teams in person and participate in family fun. Due to impending weather conditions, organizers have relocated COUGARFEST from City Park in downtown Edwardsville to SIUE First Community Arena, Vadalabene Center Friday, October 13, 5 – 10 p.m . “COUGARFEST will really kick off the weekend,” said Cathy Taylor, MPA, Senior Director of Alumni and Donor Relations. “This is a new component to our Homecoming celebration. Be prepared for the big reveal of the new Eddie Mascot .” Friday afternoon, the COUGARFEST Block Party will open with SIUE Volleyball facing off against Tennessee Tech,

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – Earlier this week, the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of St. Louis (LCRA) — a development board staffed by the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) — closed on its acquisition of a building and 29 vacant parcels at 3940 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in St. Louis, Mo. SLDC plans to stabilize and transform the 150,000-square-foot industrial building that is situated on 15 acres into a workforce training hub for manufacturing and other high-paying, in-demand jobs. “We are so proud to plant our flag in the heart of North City as an anchor along one of the corridors where our redevelopment and Economic Justice efforts are centered,” said SLDC President & CEO, Neal Richardson. “This is a long-term investment in the future of St. Louis, and we look forward to opening our doors to the community in 2024.” SLDC will work with partner agencies in the St. Louis region to ensure programming at the facility

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ST. LOUIS - Mayor Tishaura O. Jones announced the appointment of Chief Charles Coyle as the Public Safety Director for the City of St. Louis. A 45-year veteran of the St. Louis Fire Department, Chief Coyle has served as interim public safety director since February 2023. “Since becoming interim director earlier this year, Chief Coyle has tackled significant challenges head on, including modernization of 911 services,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “While this search began as a national one, Chief Coyle’s extensive experience in City government has positioned him well to implement innovative plans and solutions. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Chief Coyle in this role and am excited about the detail-oriented, community-driven eye he brings to this job.” Modernizing 911 remains a top priority for Chief Coyle. The Department of Public Safety is currently undertaking a three-phase consolidation plan, poised to unite Fire, Police, and EMS dispatch

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) issued the following statement regarding his endorsement of Jim Jordan (R-OH) for Speaker of the House: “I am proud to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House. Jim is a conservative fighter who cares deeply for this country. At a time when we face serious challenges at home and abroad, House Republicans can’t afford to wait another moment to unify and get back to governing. When the House meets behind closed doors this afternoon, I’ll be voting for Jim Jordan; and I’ll do the same when his nomination comes to the House Floor.”

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CARROLLTON - A candlelight vigil will be held soon for Amy Baumgartner Faltin, a 39-year-old Greene County woman who went missing over three months ago. The vigil will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at the Greene County Courthouse in Carrollton. Matthew Hamby, a member of the Help Find Amy Faltin/Baumgartner Facebook group, announced the vigil last month and encouraged attendees to “come light the courthouse for Amy!” Faltin is described as a white female with hazel eyes, brown hair, and tattoos on her face, neck, and arms. She is approximately 5 feet tall and 140 pounds. She was reportedly last seen on July 12, 2023, somewhere east of Carrollton. For more information and updates, see the Help Find Amy Faltin/Baumgartner Facebook group. Anyone with information about Faltin’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Illinois State Police at 618-384-9694.

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ALTON - Alton Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Morales recently discussed his golf career, his induction into the Alton Golf Hall of Fame, giving back to his hometown community, and more on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . As an Alton native and golfer of 30 years, Morales said being in the Hall of Fame “means a lot” to him, and gave a special shout-out to his wife for her support and understanding. “I was pretty surprised,” Morales said of his nomination and induction. “Being from Alton, that means a lot. born and raised in Alton and I’ve stuck around here, I’ve had a business here in Alton and my wife’s a schoolteacher here … we’ve been married 27 years and she’s been with me basically my whole golfing career, and she’s put up with a lot of long days. “She’s really understanding about that and allows me to have my space and enjoy my passtime, so I love her a lot for that, for being

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GODFREY - The Whispering Woods Bed and Breakfast/Retreat and Event Center has combined the cute and the creepy with their Halloween Fun event. Kids ages 2–10 are invited to Whispering Woods for two hours of games, snacks and activities on Friday, Oct. 13, and Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Halloween Fun kicked off on Thursday, Oct. 12 with pumpkin painting, cookie decorating and a scavenger hunt on the Whispering Woods property. “I have a degree in child development and I haven’t used it in a while, so we’re putting it back to use,” joked Margaret Moorehead, Whispering Woods owner. “I love doing these things. If I didn’t love them, I wouldn’t do them. So when you come, you can expect a great time and we’re going to do everything in our power to make sure you get that.” This is one of the first events completely sponsored by Whispering Woods. The traditional bed and breakfast has drawn many guests over the years. Moorehead

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ALTON – While many people look forward to the spooky, supposedly unlucky day, others, not so much. Did you know that the fear of Friday the 13 th is called Paraskevidekatriaphobia or Friggatriskaidekaphobia? Did you know that in other areas of the world, Tuesday the 13 th is considered a day of bad luck? Here are some other fun facts about Friday the 13 th that you may not have known, 13 of them to be exact. This is the second occurrence of Friday the 13 th in 2023. The first was in January. The last time October had a Friday the 13 th was in 2017. Some unlucky years have three Fridays on the 13th. The last time this occurred was in 2015. The next time it will happen is in 2026. The more well-known Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. Most cruise ships/hotels/skyscrapers do not recognize a 13 th floor due to fear and you will not be able to get out on that level. 13 at a table – an old superstition dating back to 1774 believes that if 13 people si

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department is asking for assistance from the public in regard to several vehicle burglaries that occurred during the overnight hours of Oct. 12, 2023, from midnight to 6 a.m. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the primary locations of these break-ins were in the north/northwest Alton area. Community members are encouraged to upload any surveillance footage of individuals attempting to or entering into vehicles in the nighttime hours by following the link below. Chief Ford said on the website that the public can submit their contact information or remain anonymous. "We only ask that submitters provide the 100 block of the street that they live on, so it can assist us with the investigation (for example 2000 block of Alby Street). The public is also reminded to not leave keys, key fobs, or any valuables inside of your unattended vehicles as this only increases the odds of being victimized." Alton Police October 12th - Tips

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ALTON - Horror fans can enjoy a fully immersive theater experience at Marquette Catholic High School (MCHS) this weekend. The theater department’s 2023 fall play is a mixed-media thriller that straddles the line between fun and “Friday the 13th.” Performances of “The Red House Monster” start at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, and Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at MCHS. People are also invited to enjoy fall festivities at MCHS, including a bonfire and ghost stories, before the show. “It’s not just a play you just sit and watch. The audience really are invited tourists or guests to this production,” said director Brett Klaus. “They’re going to be very much in the middle of the action…I hope they laugh and smile, but only because they’re so scared.” “The Red House Monster,” written by Rachel Bublitz, draws on the myth of Hercules and Geryon and the novel “We Have Always Lived in the Castle”

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Gori Law firm recently announced the hiring of Kevin Milano as its newest associate attorney. Milano joins the firm’s asbestos litigation team in New Orleans, where he represents individuals affected by asbestos and ensures they receive the compensation they deserve. Milano began his legal career as a prosecutor in Baton Rouge, L.A. He then practiced personal injury law before joining the Gori Law Firm. “Kevin’s experience and dedication to his work make him a valuable asset to our firm and our clients,” said Sara Salger, managing partner of The Gori Law Firm. “We are excited to welcome him as part of our team in New Orleans and watch him succeed.” Milano received his juris doctorate from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, L.A., in 2013. Prior to law school, he received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of New Orleans. During his time at Southern University Law Center, he received the

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HARTFORD – The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Madison County will host its fourth annual historic craft fair on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Local artisans will make their finely handcrafted goods available for purchase. Goods ranging from basketry to fiber work to pottery and more will be available. Booths will be set up throughout the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The lobby, multi-purpose room, and galleries will feature talented artisans sharing their skills and wares. New to the fair this year are hydroponic plants. Visitors are invited to browse and enjoy unique craft items. The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site is located at 1 Lewis and Clark Trail in Hartford. The Interpretive Center and reconstructed Camp River Dubois reveal the important role that Illinois played in the Corps of Discovery’s preparations as they wintered from December 1803 to May 1804. The site, which is operated by the Illinois Department

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ELMHURST – On October 12, 2023, at approximately 3:54 a.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash involving an ISP officer’s squad car that was hit by a motorist who failed to move over on Interstate 290 westbound at York Street in DuPage County. On the above date and time, an ISP Troop 3 trooper was stationary on the right shoulder of Interstate 290 westbound with emergency lights activated, handling a crash. A Nissan Rogue, traveling westbound, failed to move over, striking the rear driver side of the ISP squad car. The Trooper was outside of the squad car at the time of the crash and was uninjured. The driver of the Nissan, 23-year-old Isaac L. Blount of Bellwood, IL, was also uninjured. Blount was issued citations for Scott’s Law – Improper Passing of an Emergency Vehicle and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident. So far this year, ISP has had 17 Move Over Law-related crashes. In 2022, ISP had 23 Move Over

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RIVERBEND - A partial solar eclipse will be visible for people across the Riverbend on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. From 10:32 a.m. to 1:26 p.m., the moon will move to block the sun. People in the Metro East area can observe the eclipse best at 11:57 a.m. when the sun will be 53% obscured by the moon, which is the peak for our region. Special glasses are needed to safely view the eclipse. “This solar eclipse actually is what’s called an annular solar eclipse where the moon does not cover the entire disk of the sun. It covers only the central potion,” explained Dr. Abdullatif Hamad, professor and interim chair of the physics department at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. “There will be just a ring around the sun; that’s why sometimes they call it the ‘Ring of Fire.’ So it will still be observable, but that’s not in our area. In our area it’s going to be just partial.” The total solar eclipse will be observable from

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EDWARDSVILLE - Third Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Stephen Stobbs received the IDC (Illinois Defense Counsel) Distinguished Service Award for his years of service to the citizens of Illinois. The award was presented to Chief Judge Stobbs by IDC President, Tracy Stevenson, at the IDC Judicial Reception held on October 5, 2023, at the Wildey in Edwardsville, Illinois. “It is truly humbling that such an esteemed organization of Illinois attorneys selected me for this prestigious award. I am honored to accept it,” Stobbs said. Judge Steve Stobbs was born and raised in Godfrey and is a lifelong resident of Madison County. He earned his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University, graduating with honors in 1990 and his Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, graduating with honors in 1994. Upon graduating law school, he practiced law in Alton with his father, John Dale Stobbs (deceased), and Attorney Jim Sinclair. Judge Stobbs was elected three times to the Madison County

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CHICAGO – One very lucky player in California will be doing some serious celebrating and financial planning after snatching up the winning Powerball ticket worth a staggering $1.765 billion last night - the second largest prize in U.S. lottery history. The winning Powerball ticket was purchased at Midway Market & Liquors in Frazier Park, California. The winning numbers were: 22-24-40-52-64 and Powerball 10. In Illinois, several Powerball players are also celebrating this morning after winning big money from Wednesday night’s drawing. Three players matched four winning numbers and the Powerball to win $50,000 each. The Powerball roll began on July 20, 2023, and in that time, more than 1.5 million winning tickets were sold and over $15.2 million in prizes were won by Illinois players. This is also a win for the retailers that sold winning Powerball tickets, as they will receive a bonus of 1% of the prize amount. Winners have one year from the date of the winning dra

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - Approximately 150 young women from 17 bi-state area high schools and organizations recently gathered at St. Louis Downtown Airport for the 2023 Girls in Aviation Day event, where they had the unique opportunity to learn more about the aviation industry and related career fields. The event, which was held Sept. 18, is hosted annually by Saint Louis University’s Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science at the school’s hangar at St. Louis Downtown Airport, in partnership with Women in Aviation International. “This was our largest Girls in Aviation Day event yet,” said Amy Preis, Outreach Coordinator for SLU's School of Science and Engineering. “Our goal is to connect students with the opportunities in the aviation industry that are out there and possibly haven’t been considered before. The entirety of the aviation industry is hungry for more women in its ranks. We are helping to bridge that gap by exposing women in our community

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ALTON - On October 22 join Trinity’s Way for their first Halloween Trivia Night. Doors open at 5 PM and will be hosted in conjunction with Moose Lodge 951. Proceeds will benefit Renee’s Rescue Sanctuary and Trinity’s Way. On top of a fun-filled night filled with Halloween trivia, there will also be a 50/50 raffle, basket raffles, and a costume contest. The event is $15/person or you can reserve a table for you and seven of your spooky friends for $120. Trinity’s Way formed in 2018 after 17-year-old Trinity Buel was killed in a tragic car accident. The nonprofit was started by her mother, April Gray, and her godfather, Chris Unthank, to carry on Buel’s kindness and compassion for animals and the environment. That same year, the group hosted their first annual Trinity River Festival, and the festival returns every year as a mainstay within the nonprofit. The organization uses funds raised from the festival to provide support for area animal-related and environmental

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