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ALTON - Yvonne Campbell, the well-known owner of My Just Desserts in Alton, was injured in a serious car accident Saturday while vacationing in Jamaica. Yvonne’s daughter, Nakiyah Jackson, said Yvonne is presently “unresponsive.” Her daughter has created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help get her mother back to the United States. "We are asking for generous donations due to the fact that Yvonne had insurance but it has expired due to unforeseen conditions," the GoFundMe reads. "We are trying to get her back into the states for surgery and aftercare plans. "If you know Yvonne, you know she’d never enter a room without leaving you with a laugh, smile, or without giving you the biggest hug. She now needs your help, anything is greatly appreciated." Nearly $20,000 has been raised since the fundraiser launched Monday morning. To view and contribute to the GoFundMe, please visit: GoFundMe.com/f/yvonne-campbells-medical-expenses

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ALTON - Over the years, Celebrate Recovery Alton has assisted many individuals who are struggling with anguish of everything from drug abuse, alcohol addiction, sexual abuse, grief, eating disorders, divorce, gambling addictions, financial loss, grief and so much more. Celebrate Recovery meets each Wednesday night on the Calvary Baptist Church campus at 1422 Washington Avenue and Brown Street in Alton. Celebrate Recovery is described as a "Christ-centered, 12-step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life." The leader of the Celebrate Recovery Alton is Chaplain Marc Lane who is the Senior Chaplain for both the Alton Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff's Office. Lane has been a positive force with Celebrate Recovery and his work with the police department and the sheriff's office for many years. Lane is also a member of th

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Letter To The Editor: It brings me great pleasure to introduce to you, a valuable resource for the times we are living in and the challenges and struggles we all face from time to time. Celebrate Recovery Alton is a 12-step Biblically-based program for anyone struggling with any hurt, hang-up, or habit. Those attending have found hope and help to overcome issues of anger, alcoholism, guilt and shame, financial loss, divorce, gambling, dysfunctional families, sexual abuse, drug abuse, grief, eating disorders, and many more. Celebrate Recovery Alton is a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church. Celebrate Recovery was launched over 3 years ago with 2021 active meeting sites that exceed 35,000 community locations. Not included in these 35,000-plus locations is an active and growing network of State Prison and County Jails that offer Celebrate Recovery. As we continue o see the growing epidemic of drug and alcohol usage across our country, I encourage your support of this valuable resource.

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CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after Secretary of Transportation announced the first-ever Bill of Rights for airline passengers with disabilities : “Far too many Americans living with a disability—many of whom are Veterans like myself—face unnecessary and harmful challenges during air travel. As someone who has experienced these challenges firsthand, I understand how inaccessibility profoundly impacts travelers with disabilities, so I’m pleased to see the Biden Administration and Secretary Buttigieg announce this first-ever Bill of Rights for passengers with disabilities and I hope it helps us make meaningful progress in ensuring Americans with disabilities receive the protections they deserve.” The new Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights is an easy-to-use summary of the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities under the Air Carrier Access Act. It aims to empower air travelers

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EDWARDSVILLE - As our nation’s shelters face unprecedented overcrowding, BISSELL Pet Foundation is doing its part to take homeless pets from kennels to couches by sponsoring reduced adoption fees of $50 or less from July 11 – 31. The longest-ever Summer National “Empty the Shelters” event will be hosted in more than 250 shelters in 42 states, including Metro East Humane Society. Metro East Humane Society will participate July 11-31, 2022, at the Edwardsville (8495 State Route 143) and Highland (510 W Monroe) locations, offering $25 adoptions for all cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies. All interested adopters can find details online at www.mehs.org or by visiting either location during business hours: Monday-Saturday 11:30-5 and Sunday 11:30-3. “Shelters are calling me daily and BISSELL Pet Foundation is feeling the burden of overcrowding. With the euthanasia of homeless dogs up 22% in just the first quarter of 2022 alone, we knew we had to act quickly

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GODFREY - Test your knowledge of history, pop culture, nature, and more all while helping The Nature Institute (TNI) in its mission of education, restoration, and preservation. This Trivia Night fundraiser at Godfrey KC Hall., located at 1713 Stamper Lane. in Godfrey, Ill, will be held on Friday, August 12. Doors open at 6 p.m. and questions begin at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $15 per person or $120 for a team of eight to play. This event is sponsored by T&S Smokehouse. “We are excited to host this trivia night fundraiser this year. Working as teams to answer fun questions is a great way to spend time with family and friends all while supporting our community,” says Ramona Pollard, outreach director at The Nature Institute. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top two winning teams. Guests can also win from a 50/50 raffle and silent auction gifts. Teams are required to reserve a table up to the day of the event. Tables can be reserved at TheNatureInstitute.org or by calling (61

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(Recipe from St. Louis Dairy Council) Ice Cream Dessert Tacos Celebrate National Ice Cream Month with ice cream dessert tacos. This dairy treat is not only delicious, but also easy to make! Personalize them by adding your favorite flavors, toppings, and creativity. Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Servings: 6 Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 3 Tbsp. sugar 1 ½ tsp. baking powder 1 ½ tsp. baking soda 1 ¼ tsp. kosher salt 2 cups milk 2 large eggs 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 6 scoops Neapolitan ice cream 1 Tbsp. salted butter Toppings: Chocolate syrup Crushed nuts Fresh strawberries Whipped cream Instructions: For taco shells : Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt together in a bowl. Using the whisk, make a well in the center. Pour milk into the well and crack the eggs into milk. Pour melted butter into the mixture. Starting in the center, whisk all ingredients

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ST. LOUIS - Looking for a tasty way to beat the summer heat? Look no further, as July happens to be National Ice Cream Month. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan deemed ice cream to be “the perfect dessert” and declared a month-long celebration of the delicious dairy treat. Thirty-seven years later, ice cream is still celebrated as a perfect companion to tackle summer heat. Whether it is an ice cream sundae after a long day at the pool, an ice cream sandwich at a ball game, or a few scoops in a bowl after a day in the office, the options to celebrate Ice Cream Month are endless. Did you know the average American consumes 23 pounds of dairy dessert each year? Ice cream has evolved over the years and includes many different treats and flavors, making it hard to choose just one. The classic tried-and-true vanilla flavor still holds the top spot when it comes to consumers’ favorite flavor. Vanilla ice cream’s ability to be incorporated into a variety of sweet

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DECATUR, IL. — The Millikin University men’s golf team recently announced its letter winners for the 2021-22 season. Letter winners are listed below. First Letter Freshman Ian Berndsen (Breese, Ill./Mater Dei H.S.) Junior Griffin Nyi (Pontiac, H.S.) Sophomore Carson Reynolds (Jonesboro, Anna Jonesboro) Second Letter Senior Trevor Britton (Wadsworth, College of Lake County) Senior Brandon Rowe (Oakwood, Oakwood H.S./Parkland College) Third Letter Senior Hunter Keith (Rossville, Bismarck Henning H.S.) Senior Jack Patterson (Alton, Marquette Catholic H.S.) Senior Max Phillips (Salem, H.S.) Senior Tyler Reitz (Lombard, Glenbard East H.S.)

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NASHVILLE - July 11, 2022 - Reba McEntire has announced a fall arena tour REBA: LIVE IN CONCERT , set to kick off October 13 in Lafayette, LA. With 35 No. 1 hits under her belt, the award-winning entertainer will deliver hit after hit during her “entertaining and flawlessly executed” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) live show. Presented by Live Nation, the 17-city tour will feature special guest Terri Clark across all shows. “I can’t wait to see everyone out on the road again this fall,” said Reba. “We had so much fun in the spring and I’m ready to get back out there with my buddy Terri Clark!” Tickets for REBA: LIVE IN CONCERT go on sale Friday, July 15 at 10 AM local time. Reba fans can access a special fan presale starting Tuesday, July 12 at 10 AM local time by signing up for Reba’s email list here . Fans must be signed up by 11:59 PM CT on Monday, July 11 in order to receive the presale code. The presale code will b

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced the return of more than $45,000 to the American Cancer Society. The money came from two bank accounts belonging to Diane Koszyk of Elmwood Park, Illinois, and was turned over to the Illinois Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division after her death. Koszyk died in 2017, at age 78, in Seasons Hospice, which was then located at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She had selected the American Cancer Society as beneficiary and co-beneficiary on savings and checking accounts with JPMorgan Chase & Co. The combined amount, plus interest, totaled $45,069 for the American Cancer Society. “We are honored to return these funds to the American Cancer Society and to carry out the wishes of Diane Koszyk,” Frerichs said. “While Diane passed away five years ago, her generosity lives on. Her gift will help the American Cancer Society as it pursues its mission to free the world from cancer.”

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ALTON - It's been nearly a year since the McDonald's on Broadway burned down to the ground, but it's back and better than before. That's right, as of 6 a.m. Monday, the busy location reopened. "We're here, again, and we're glad to be back," Dick Bold said. He's been an Owner/Operator with the McDonald's Corporation for about 30 years now and was present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "I mean it's been one delay after another," he said jokingly. He mentioned setbacks like only being sent two of the four a/c units needed as well as the gas meter showing up a little late. None of that matters now though as the restaurant, conveniently located where you first enter Alton, is re-open for business. "Finally we have got across the finish line. We are here, and we are back," Bold said to some applause. From there, Bold gave the floor to Alton's Mayor, David Goins. "I wasn't in office very long before I got the phone call from the fire chief that stated that the McDonald's was on fire

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ALTON - Work continues on the sewer project in and around downtown Alton. Here is another weekly update on road closures. Background: Work kicked off in February 2021 and will continue to progress until 2023. Work includes over six miles of sanitary sewer main is being installed in the Turner Tract, Shields Valley and Piasa Valley areas of Alton. When Illinois American Water acquired the Alton Regional Wastewater system the company made a commitment to address requirements set forth by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to remedy combined sewer overflows. The projects in Turner Tract and Shields Valley addressed 1.69 miles of sanitary sewer main. The work in Piasa Valley began in the spring of 2021. This project includes almost five miles of sanitary sewer main. Work is expected to continue for over two years. This does not mean work will occur in one area for 24 months, but rather, projects will continue to progress throughout neighborhoods during that time

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INGREDIENTS 4 pork chops bone-in or boneless (about 1-inch thick) 1 teaspoon Get-r-Smoked Smoked Paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder Salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Marketplace Portobello EVOO For the mushroom sauce 1 cup sliced brown mushrooms 4-5 garlic cloves crushed 1 teaspoon Get-r-Smoked Italian seasoning 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup chicken broth 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley Salt and pepper to taste INSTRUCTIONS Combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pat the pork chops dry with kitchen paper then season generously with the spice mix. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high until butter is melted. Sear the pork chops for 3-5 minutes per side until well browned on both sides. Transfer the pork chops to a warm plate and set aside. In the same skillet, add the mushrooms and stir fry until golden

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 300 block of Chambers Road in the City of Riverview which resulted in the death of an adult female. On July 10, 2022, at 5:02 PM, City of Riverview police officers responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 300 block of Chambers Road. Responding officers located an adult female suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. Officers attempted to render life saving treatment but the victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. City of Riverview police officers requested St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons detectives assume responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is very 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

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EAST ALTON - The old Olin headquarters now owned by Wieland Company on Shamrock Street in East Alton is in the demolition process. East Alton Mayor Darren Carlton said he understood some of those who expressed sadness about the old Olin administrative building demolition, but at the same time, he understood that times change. Alton's Abe Lee Barham, who worked for Olin Corporation over the years and in its prime, said it was "sad to see the demolition." He remembers when the Olin business in that vicinity once employed 2,000 people and he said it felt like a part of area history was being torn down piece by piece. "I came back here to the East Alton Police in 2015, and I remember they were getting rid of old chairs and furniture, etc. from the administrative building," Carlton said. "Times do change and sometimes old buildings get torn down and new ones go back up, that is just the way it is." Mayor Carlton grew up in East Alton and he said when he was a young man, business was boomin

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EDWARDSVILLE - Alton High junior runner Simon McClaine finished his season with a second-place in the 300-meter low hurdles at sectional and also competed at the state track and field meet in Charleston. Simon's progress this season was rated "phenomenal" by his head Redbird track coach Jeff White. McClaine got off to a good start for this season, finishing second in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 17.00 seconds at the Southern Illinois Relays meet on March 25 at the Winston Brown Track Center in Edwardsville. After that, McClaine ran 15.93 seconds at the Winston Brown Invitational at Edwardsville on Apr. 23, and on May 11 at the Southwestern Conference meet, also in Edwardsville, he had a time of 15.64 seconds, coming in second. McClaine climaxed his season by qualifying in the 300-meter hurdles in the IHSA Class 3A sectional, finishing second at 40.91 seconds. For all of his efforts on the track during the season, McClaine was selected as an Auto Butler male Athlete of the Mont

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ALTON - These are aftermath photos of the building collapse at 619 E. Broadway in Alton. The back wall of the structure of that address fell around noon on Saturday. Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom House recommends that people stay away from the area because it is unsafe and yellow caution tape surrounds it. House said a homeless man apparently had been near the building when it collapsed, but thankfully was unhurt.

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Department provided an update after its June 21, 2022, post on Facebook and on Riverbender.com and thanked the public for charges being issued against an East Alton man. Bethalto Police said Friday a Felony Retail Theft charge and warrant were issued in Madison County Circuit Court against: DAVID G. STONE M/W AGE 34 400 BLOCK OF COBB ST. EAST ALTON, IL. "The charge was issued in connection with our June 21, 2022, post related to an attempted theft of a lawn mower from an area business," the Bethalto Police said. "After making the post we received information that ultimately led to the issuance of the charge/warrant. We want to thank our Facebook viewers and followers as usual, as you’ve helped us solve several cases over the past couple of years. We greatly appreciate the region's support of local law enforcement, and your willingness to help us keep our community safe. "Mr. Stone, you’re free to turn yourself in at the

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CARLINVILLE - Some of the fascinating women of Illinois history will be the topic of a free discussion at the Mississippi Valley Library District in Collinsville on Tuesday, July 12 at 6 p.m. “Notable Women of Illinois History” will be presented by Tom Emery and is based on his 2018 book of the same title. Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville who has earned fifteen awards from the Illinois State Historical Society. An experienced speaker and public-address announcer, Emery has lectured across the region on his research. He is known for his informal presentations, which encourage audience participation. The program covers the remarkable lives of some of the most influential women throughout the history of Illinois. Such luminaries as Jane Addams, Mother Bickerdyke, Mary Todd Lincoln, Frances Willard, and Gwendolyn Brooks are included, as well as other leading women of Illinois politics, social movements, and literature. The program

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