Riverbender 🕸

EDWARDSVILLE - Two are in custody on $3 million and $2 million bonds and charged with murder in a homicide that occurred on Jan. 1, 2023, in Collinsville. Authorities apprehended Albert Campos, 18, and Matias L. Herrera, 26, in regard to the shooting. De-Santiago was waiting for his girlfriend at the 3300 block of Princeton Avenue in Collinsville when he was shot. Detective Captain Brian Koberna, Chief Of Madison County Sheriff’s Office Investigations and the Illinois Deputy Commander of the Major Case Squad, led a press conference at the sheriff’s office on Tuesday afternoon and announced two are in custody for the murder of 18-year-old Miguel D. Villegas De-Santiago. At 2:10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call about a shooting and a male subject in a nearby vehicle in the 3300 block of Princeton Avenue, Collinsville. The male victim was transported to a St. Louis hospital where he succumbed to injuries. A total

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville completed 2022 Fall Commencement exercises for 1,413 eligible graduates during a series of ceremonies held Dec. 16-17, 2022. SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred bestowed degrees upon students from the Graduate School, College of Arts and Sciences, and Schools of Business, Engineering, Nursing, and Education, Health and Human Behavior. The names of the graduates are categorized by state, then hometown alphabetically. View the list here. Honors for undergraduate students are indicated as follows: * Cum Laude (GPA 3.50-3.74) ** Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.75-3.89) *** Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.9 or higher) + Honors Scholars All ceremonies are archived on siue.edu/tv . Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality education that powerfully transforms the lives of all individuals who seek something greater. A premier metropolitan university, SIUE is creating social and economic

Continue Reading

ALTON - At 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2023, the Alton Police Department was notified of a stabbing that occurred at 2208 Gillis St., Alton, Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said today. Officers arrived and determined that a male subject had been stabbed in the chest during an altercation with his long-time dating partner, explained Chief Ford. "The suspect was arrested at the scene," Chief Ford added. "The victim received medical treatment at a local hospital and is expected to recover from the injury." Today, the facts of the case were presented to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. They subsequently charged the suspect, Sandra Kenshalo, with one count of Aggravated Battery and one count of Domestic Battery. The bond was set at $30,000.

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - New Jersey County Sheriff’s Deputy Sally Arbuthnot has set her goals high in her professional life and after six years as a correctional officer, she has moved to another level as a patrol deputy. Sally has made history again as she is the first female sheriff's deputy in Jersey County. She was the first female correctional officer before that appointment. Sally said she is very excited to be in her new position, and she also was thankful for the experience she received as a correctional officer. Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns said Sally has done everything she has been asked to become a deputy on the road. “Deputy Arbuthnot has made an effort to do extra training to reach her goal and has made it in exemplifying fashion. I am very proud of her accomplishments and the Jersey County community and others in the sheriff’s office embrace her and support her.” Sally said her boyfriend and her boyfriend's daughter, Bailee, have both been very supportive

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement in response to an Illinois Supreme Court stay of the SAFE-T Act’s Jan. 1, 2023, effective date. “As we have stated previously, my office filed an appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court because in this matter, only the Supreme Court’s final decision on the merits will be binding on all Illinois courts. "It is important to note that the order issued today by the court is not a decision on the merits of the constitutionality of the SAFE-T Act, and I appreciate the court’s interest in expediting the appeal. We look forward to mounting a robust defense of the constitutionality of the law and ensuring that it goes into effect across the state.” The following is a statement from the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice: "Today, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an order directing counties across our state to delay implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act until the court

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY – Seniors Aleah Crenshaw and Maddox Kennedy of Granite City High School were selected as Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 Students of the Month for December. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry, and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award, and scholastic ability. Each student receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement. Aleah Crenshaw National Honor Society President ... Four-year member of girls golf and softball team ... Two-year Girls Golf Team Captain ... Member of National Honor Society, Renaissance, Spirit Club, Student Council, and Varsity Club ... Homecoming Court ... Alpha Peer Leader ... Honor Roll ... Saturday

Continue Reading

LINN, MO. - State Technical College of Missouri would like to congratulate December 2022 students who achieved the Dean’s List during the 2022 fall semester. Jerseyville and Godfrey students were recognized on the list. To be placed on the Dean’s List, a full-time student must earn a semester grade point average between 3.5 and 4.0 on a 4-point scale. Godfrey Owen Thomeczek Jerseyville Ryan Eickoff

Continue Reading

Billy Marquez, the uncle of 18-year-old Miguelito Villegas De Santiago, who died in a fatal shooting on Jan. 1, 2023, in Collinsville, has organized a GoFundMe for the final expenses of his nephew. "Miguelito passed away within a few hours after the shooting and his family is torn apart," his uncle said. "He was the oldest of his three siblings. Miguelito was such a happy kid. He was always smiling, was a very respectful young man, and also very hardworking. He loved his mother, father, family, and friends so much. "Miguelito wasn’t the kid to have problems with anyone and that is what hurts us the most. If you can help raise money to help his family with the funeral expenses we would be more than grateful. Thanks in advance." Click here for information on how to donate to Miguelito's GoFundMe .

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Police has released information about a double fatal shooting early New Year's Day morning in the city. This is the Collinsville Police report: At 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, January 1, 2023, the Collinsville Police Department received a 911 call of a disturbance of gunshots being fired in a parking lot at the rear of 103 W. Main Street in downtown Collinsville. Upon officers’ arrival, they immediately encountered two males, who were initially detained at the scene. Collinsville Police Department officers also discovered two additional males had sustained gunshot wounds and began administering CPR as they waited for the arrival of the Collinsville Fire Department paramedics. The following individuals were later pronounced deceased at the scene by the Madison County Coroner’s Office: Ricardo Correa, 20, Collinsville, and Rodolfo Torres-Granado, 24, Granite City. Members of the Collinsville Police learned through numerous witness interviews the incident

Continue Reading

ALTON - It took a little longer than usual, but Alton Memorial Hospital’s first baby delivery of 2023 took place at 6:18 p.m. on Jan. 1. Lucas Timothy Smith was born to Megan and David Smith of Hardin, weighing in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and 20 inches long. Lucas was delivered by Dr. Joseph Talsky. It’s the third child for Megan and David. They also have a 5-year-old son, Gauge; and a 4-year-old daughter, Lillian. Grandparents are Michael and Brenda Smith of Jerseyville, and Tim and Michele Herter of Hardin. David works for Tetratech and Megan is a CNA at Jersey Community Hospital.

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 900 block of Thunderhead Drive which resulted in the death of an adult male. On January 2, 2023, at 4:23 PM, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 900 block of Thunderhead Drive. Responding officers located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are conducting the investigation. The investigation is active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE - The law firm of Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., is pleased to announce that Allyson T. Schwab has been named shareholder effective January 1, 2023. Ally has been an associate with MM&R since February 2018. Ally focuses her practice in the areas of business law, including mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning, estate planning/administration, and real estate law. Ally enjoys the diversity of her practice, serving both individual and corporate clients. Ally graduated from the University of Illinois School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She then attended the University of Illinois Law School where she graduated magna cum laude. During her tenure at Illinois law, Ally won the awards for best oralist and best brief in the Frederick Green Moot Court Competition and competed on the College of Law’s National Moot Court Team. Ally is also the recipient of a Rickert Award for excellence in advocacy. She is licensed in Illinois

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is partnering with The Power Project to train group home and residential care facility staff across Illinois on how to identify, intervene and prevent human trafficking among their youth in treatment. Nearly 1,000 congregate care staff in 37 facilities across the state completed Commercial Sexual Exploitation 101 training in 2022. “As a former youth in care, I realize that I could have very easily become a victim of human trafficking when I was younger, and now it’s my passion to look for ways to prevent youth from being trafficked in the first place. It is so much easier to keep a kid from being broken, rather than trying to put them back together,” said The Power Project Founder and CEO Mieko Taylor. “A key part of prevention is helping create safe spaces for youth to get help when they have been identified as a victim of trafficking.

Continue Reading

ALTON - From 6:30 to 8 p.m. on January 10, join Illinois Metro East Sierra Club staffers, Virginia Woulfe-Biele and Sally Burgess, as well as Diana Karin (Alton Yard Farms) to learn more about how the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is being implemented across Illinois. CEJA is nation-leading legislation that promises to bring training and jobs to communities in and around the Metro East as well as accelerate the transition from a fossil fuel economy to renewable energy. Virginia, Sally, and Diana have all trained as CEJA Ambassadors and are deeply committed to helping others better understand this 900-page piece of legislation! To register to attend this event (in-person or via Zoom), go to the events calendar on our website: https://www.sierraclub.org/illinois/piasa-palisades . If you have questions, please contact Chris Krusa at 410-490-5024. Attendees and friends are invited to have dinner and meet the speakers at the Old Bakery Beer Company at 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton, IL

Continue Reading

STAUNTON – The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) recently recognized Community Hospital of Staunton for its ongoing commitment to exceptional quality of care, during a ceremony held November 10th at the I-Hotel and Conference Center, Champaign, IL. As part of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program (MBQIP), Community Hospital and other critical access hospitals were asked to voluntarily participate in four defined domains of quality outcomes. These four domains include: Patient Safety/Inpatient; Patient Engagement; Care Transitions; and Outpatient Measures. “Often, in rural hospitals, having a devoted staff member to abstract and submit this data can be both time-consuming and burdensome,” said Laura Fischer, ICAHN Flex Grant Project Manager. “This hospital realizes how important quality of care and an engaged staff is for its patients…From its top leadership on throughout the facility,

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Following their insanely popular west coast arena run, comedy legends Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle announce the addition of five shows in 2023 to their wildly successful co-headlining U.S. tour. Produced by Live Nation, the new performances from arguably the two greatest stand-up comedians of their generation will take place this month in Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Memphis, Birmingham, and Charleston. TICKETS General sales for tickets will begin Friday, January 6 at 10AM local time on Ticketmaster.com . CHRIS ROCK & DAVE CHAPPELLE 2023 U.S. CO-HEADLINING TOUR: Fri Jan 20 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center ***Sun Jan 22 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center*** Mon Jan 23 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum Wed Jan 25 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena Fri Jan 27 – Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum MORE ABOUT THE SHOWS No cell phones, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at this show. Upon

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Following a successful launch in its hometown area of St. Louis, Missouri, Schnuck Markets, Inc. is expanding its “Flexforce” employment option to additional locations in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. In addition to the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan stores, Schnucks now offers the Flexforce employment option in the following areas: Illinois Alton, Belleville, Bethalto, Bloomington, Cahokia, Centralia, Champaign, Cherry Valley, Collinsville, Columbia, DeKalb, Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, Godfrey, Granite City, Loves Park, Mahomet, Normal, O’Fallon, Rockford, Roscoe, Savoy, Swansea, Urbana, Waterloo, and Wood River Indiana Evansville and Newburgh Missouri Cape Girardeau, Sullivan, and Union Schnucks Flexforce teammates can optimize their work schedules by selecting shifts and store locations that best fit their personal schedules while creating opportunities for growth and learning at a pace determined b

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Madison County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0618, according to David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result. State law requires property in Illinois to be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently, with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures, but with farmland and farm buildings assessed according to

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Little Theater will produce the Broadway Musical, SHE LOVES ME for eight performances from January 20th thru 29th at the ALT Showplace. Audiences will feel a familiar charm since this lyrical tale became the inspiration for "The Shop Around the Corner" in the 1950s and "When Harry Met Sally" in the '80s. The show was recently revived on Broadway and caught the attention of ALT's Season Director, Brant McCance. Brant and Woody Woodiel (Musical Director) were captivated by the setting in a picturesque European village (pre-World War II in 1933); the perfect setting for lonely hearts to find each other under the most amusing circumstances. This most lyrical and lovely tale is performed by a cast of fourteen talents - many new, some returning, and a few ALT favorites. Abigail Alsmeyer and Kurtis Leible recreate the leading roles, with a little mayhem and mischief provided by Grace Costello and Klye Morr. The talented ensemble is portrayed by Ian Wonders, Christopher Plotts,

Continue Reading

ALTON - The New iMerge Community Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for youth, is off and running in strong fashion after a large turnout on Friday night at 200 W. Third St. in Alton. IMerge is the name for the new operators of the old Riverbender Community Center. “I was very happy about tonight’s turnout. We are hopeful to continue and excited to continue the mission of the community center,” iMerge owner Brigit Holt said. “It was so much fun, and the kids had a blast.” Daniel Nosce, the iMerge Assistant Director said: “I was so delighted to see the smiling faces of all those that missed coming to the community center. It means a lot to me, and I really hope that the community can rally behind the mission of this memorable and unique organization. Our youth need gems like the iMerge Community Center. It’s one of the many places that make Alton special.” There were a variety of activities Friday night from music to a balloon drop, and

Continue Reading