Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - Lily Waltz of Alton High School was honored as Student of the month for September 2025 at a regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. Waltz is a senior at Alton High School. She would like to take the time to thank the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club for this opportunity, her teachers, peers, and more importantly, her parents. She would not be where she is today without them, and the guidance and wisdom that has been shown her way. During her four years at Alton High, she has had many accomplishments and achievements. She has a 4.4 GPA, and has taken a total of 17 honors classes, 5 AP classes, and 6 Dual Credit classes. Last year, she was awarded the Hayner Public Library District Student of the Month award. Inside of school, she is involved in many different clubs and activities. She is currently the Features Editor for the Redbird Word, and even attended the Southern Illinois Student Press Association last year, winning three

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ALTON - Joseph Ventimiglia was honored as a Student of the Month for September 2025 at a regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. Ventimiglia is a CEO Member and an Alton High School senior. Ventimiglia is a dedicated and accomplished student at Alton High School, honored as Rotary Student of the Month. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, Joseph has demonstrated exceptional academic commitment, earning membership in the National Honor Society and consistently making the high honor roll. He has challenged himself by completing 13 honors classes, 6 dual credit courses, and 3 accelerated classes, accumulating 28 college credit hours through LCCC, SLU, and Missouri S&T. Joseph’s leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit were further developed through his participation in the CEO Program (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities). Beyond academics, he is actively involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit today against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. (Live Nation), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster LLC (Ticketmaster), over the company’s unlawful coordination with ticket brokers that drives up prices for tickets in resale markets. The lawsuit also alleges that Ticketmaster deceptively displays lower ticket prices on its website, only to charge customers substantially more at checkout. “Ticketmaster’s deceptive business tactics have left fans paying steep hidden fees and pushed them into expensive, secondary ticket markets,” said Raoul. “While Ticketmaster claims to limit bulk purchases by brokers, it allows its own rules on purchase limits to be broken. The company then profits when those tickets sell for higher prices — and Ticketmaster can collect another round of fees

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NORMAL - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced today that OPmobility will establish their first Illinois facility in Normal to assemble bumpers for Rivian's R2, which will be available for consumers in 2026. OPmobility will be the first company to locate in Rivian’s new supplier park , which was announced in May 2025. The company plans to make a significant capital investment with support from DCEO's Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) program, which will enable the company to establish its Illinois-based operations and create 81 new full-time jobs. “OPmobility’s decision to establish its first Illinois facility in Normal is another win for our state, our workers, and the Central Illinois economy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This investment builds on Illinois’ growing EV ecosystem, and it demonstrates the power of programs like REV Illinois to support

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department officially welcomed five new officers after each were sworn in at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Officers Megan Douglas, Clint Freitag, Nina Funk, Gracie Kimmle, and Zachary Jines were each sworn in at the Sept. 16, 2025 meeting. Four of the department’s latest hires are brand-new to the field of law enforcement, having recently completed their Police Academy training – these include Douglas, Frietag, Funk, and Kimmle. Officer Jines is a lateral hire who joins the Edwardsville Police from his last position with the Mt. Vernon Police Department. “We are very proud of our Police Department, and all of our departments – but our Police Department are really committed to the safety of our residents,” Risavy said. “We are very proud of how professional they are and how well-respected they are in our community.” City Clerk Michelle Boyer administered the oaths for each officer a

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined members of the Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking (ITHT) to deliver remarks at the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) Global Policy Summit and roundtable, where he spoke of federal efforts to combat child exploitation and human trafficking. In his remarks, Durbin urged the passage of his STOP CSAM Act and DEFIANCE Act —two pieces of legislation that would collectively empower survivors to hold Big Tech accountable for its role in facilitating child abuse and sexual violence. The STOP CSAM Act would allow victims to sue online providers and app stores that make available, promote, host or store child sexual abuse material. The bill would also require large tech companies to submit annual reports detailing their efforts to protect children on their platforms. Last week, Durbin delivered a speech on the Senate floor urging his

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BRIGHTON - Madison County Sheriff's Office authorities responded to a serious traffic crash involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 18, 2025, in an unincorporated area with a Brighton address. At approximately 12:55 p.m. Thursday, Madison County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Godfrey Fire Department arrived at the 7600 block of Montclair Avenue (Route 111/267) following reports of a collision with injuries. Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Marcos Pulido said preliminary investigations indicate that a motorcycle carrying two people was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed when it collided with the front passenger side of a northbound pickup truck. The truck driver was turning left into a driveway at the time of the crash, he said. "The motorcycle’s operator and passenger sustained life-threatening injuries," Pulido said. "The operator was airlifted to a hospital in the St. Louis area. The passenger was initially taken to a hospital

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BETHALTO – A Bethalto man previously convicted of domestic battery has been released pending trial in his latest domestic battery case after allegedly breaking into a second victim’s home while fleeing from police. John V. Fleming, 30, of Bethalto, was charged on Sept. 8, 2025 with one count each of residential burglary (a Class 1 felony), aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, domestic battery (second or subsequent offense), and criminal damage to property (each Class 4 felonies). On Sept. 7, 2025, Fleming allegedly ran over a household or family member’s foot, fled from police at over 21 mph over the legal speed limit, damaged the exterior door of a Bethalto residence, and unlawfully entered the same Bethalto residence. Fleming had previously been convicted of domestic battery in 2020, also in Madison County. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Fleming’s pretrial release from custody. Accordin

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GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of battering and strangling a domestic battery victim with a piece of rope and more now faces felony charges. Gabriel D. Reyes-Jimenez, 37, of Granite City, was charged on Sept. 11, 2025 with two counts each of aggravated domestic battery (both Class 2 felonies) and domestic battery (both Class A misdemeanors). On Sept. 9, 2025, Reyes-Jimenez allegedly caused great bodily harm to a household or family member by striking them about the head and body with a closed fist, striking them in the face and causing a nasal fracture, striking the victim about the body with a rope, and strangling the victim by wrapping a rope around their neck. According to the state’s petition to deny Reyes-Jimenez’s pretrial release from custody, the victim first reported to a witness, and later to police, that Reyes-Jimenez “became angry about her failing to pack him a lunch” before striking and threatening the victim. “Later,

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EAST ST. LOUIS — A former executive of the Bank of O’Fallon was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges related to a $2 million check kiting fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. Andrew P. Blassie, 70, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 63 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,461,887.67 in restitution following his admission to one count of bank fraud and one count of interstate transportation of funds obtained by fraud. The sentencing took place in federal court in East St. Louis. Blassie, who served as the Executive Vice President at the Bank of O’Fallon, engaged in a scheme from September 2023 through September 2024 to inflate his personal checking account balance by depositing checks he knew were backed by non-sufficient funds, the U.S. Attorney said. The checks originated from four personal accounts at three banks and one credit union, according to the indictment. Duri

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MADISON COUNTY — Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich has identified a 20-year-old man from St. Charles, Mo., whose body was found in the Mississippi River near the Interstate 270 and Chain of Rocks Bridge construction site. Brendon L. Krill was discovered Monday morning, Aug. 11, 2025, by construction workers. Positive identification was confirmed through DNA testing, the coroner’s office said on Sept. 17. Krill had been reported missing after last being seen on June 14, 2025, on Island 522 along the Mississippi River, according to a Missouri Highway Patrol missing person alert. He was described as 6 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 195 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The alert noted a tattoo of the word “Relentless” on his left arm and that he was last seen wearing pink and green flamingo swim trunks. The final cause of death has not yet been determined, pending the results of a forensic autopsy and toxicology testing. Authorities from the Madison

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ALTON - The 19th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival invites community members to enjoy a day of conservation, art, music and more on the riverfront. From 12–10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at the Alton Amphitheater, the festival will celebrate the Mississippi River with artist booths, live music, vendors and additional fun. The event, hosted by Alton Main Street, the Sierra Club and Jacoby Arts Center, encourages people to come out and show their appreciation for the river. “We’re very committed to keeping this a free, family-friendly event for our community to celebrate the river,” said Sara McGibany. “We have 121 booths and exhibits this year, and we are just really excited to bring everybody down to the riverfront on Saturday.” McGibany and Christine Favilla noted that the festival has family-friendly activities until 6 p.m. Kids can complete 23 activities and fill out a passport for the chance to win a gift card to Funky Planet

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer is proud to join Gov. Mike Kehoe in announcing that FEMA has approved additional assistance to support clearing debris from private properties in St. Louis following the May 16 tornado. For this mission, FEMA will provide an initial lump sum, in addition to the $100 million that the Missouri General Assembly has provided to the City of St. Louis for disaster relief, with FEMA covering 75% of eligible debris removal costs. The State of Missouri and the City of St. Louis will lead the private property debris removal efforts, with the State procuring a contractor to complete the work and the City obtaining right of entry from property owners before debris can be removed from private property. FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will support with on-the-ground technical assistance, oversight and best practices. “This is a big win for St. Louis and will help us quickly and effectively help St. Louisans get uninhabitable buildings

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TYSONS, VA – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined policymakers, researchers, industry executives, investors, and academics for the 2025 Quantum World Congress, a global exposition bringing together the world’s quantum leaders to set the agenda for the newest era in technological exploration and experimentation. The Governor offered keynote remarks, speaking to the state’s unprecedented efforts to build out quantum infrastructure in Illinois—the future quantum capital of the world. “The Quantum World Congress is an opportunity for the brightest minds in the field to chart the course toward realizing an exciting vision for our quantum future,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Quantum has the potential to help solve humanity’s greatest challenges, create billions of dollars in economic value, and fundamentally change the future of society. Innovation at this pace and scale will require a truly global effort, and events like the Quantum World

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that repairs on eastbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. One lane will remain open. All lanes are expected to reopen by 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this lane closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ST. LOUIS – Plaza West Tower, the new 16-story patient care tower at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, will welcome patients beginning in October. The tower will provide private rooms for heart and vascular patients, advanced imaging, and the latest in surgical preparation and recovery. Plaza West Tower is designed to enhance the experience for patients and their families under the expert care of WashU Medicine physicians and BJC HealthCare clinical teams. As a major referral center in the Midwest, and the fifth largest hospital in the country, Barnes-Jewish Hospital provides advanced care for patients with complex conditions, making facilities like the Plaza West Tower vital. Internationally recognized WashU Medicine physicians lead this effort, driving innovation through clinical expertise, pioneering new therapies and advancing research that shapes the future of care. Together BJH and WashU also play a significant role in training the next generation of health care professionals.

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ALTON — The USS LST-325, a World War II-era landing ship turned floating museum, will be docked at the port of Alton from Sept. 18 to 22, 2025, offering daily tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commissioned in 1943, the USS LST-325 played a significant role in the European theater of World War II, participating in key invasions including Sicily and Normandy. Designed to carry tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto hostile beaches during assaults, the vessel was vital to the success of Allied operations despite its modest top speed of about 11 miles per hour. Often referred to as the "last ship there" or "large slow target," the LST-325’s importance lay in its ability to deliver essential equipment and personnel during amphibious assaults rather than speed. Visitors to the ship can purchase tours for $20 per adult and $10 for children aged 6 to 17. Children 5 and under may tour for free. The museum aims to educate the public about the ship’s service not only in World

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CHICAGO - This week, Governor JB Pritzker joined a coalition of 17 other state governors, issuing a joint letter urging House Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Leader John Thune, and Leader Chuck Schumer to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits (ePTCs). With the tax credits set to expire at the end of the year and insurers already beginning to set 2026 rates, this united front of state leaders represents an effort to lock in lower premiums for working families. Without Congressional action, the effects of premium surges will be felt nationwide for years. “For many hardworking families across Illinois, these tax credits keep affordable healthcare within reach,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Families shouldn’t have to choose between having healthcare and putting food on the table. Republicans in Congress had no issue cutting taxes for billionaires, so they should have no issue extending tax relief for their own constituents

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Donald Trump continues threatening to deploy the National Guard into Chicago, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) in introducing legislation to enhance oversight and accountability of the President’s domestic deployment of the National Guard. The Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard (SUN) Act would require the President to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 15 days of deploying the National Guard for civilian law enforcement support, except in the case of a natural disaster. “Donald Trump seems determined to deploy our military to police American cities with absolutely zero regard for the lasting impact this will have on readiness, public trust and our national security,” said Duckworth. “Our servicemembers did not sign up to intimidate and police their fellow Americans across the country, and Congress has a responsibility

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - Cahokia Heights Police Department announced promotions for three officers this week, marking the first departmental advancements in more than two years. Chief Thomas L. Trice promoted Sgt. Derek Ruberstell to Master Sergeant, recognizing his nearly three decades of service with the agency, including previous experience as a Cahokia Police Sergeant. Master Sgt. Ruberstell will take on the role of department policy expert and oversee several administrative duties aimed at advancing the department’s mission. Additionally, Officer Jonathan Williams and Officer William Catanzaro were promoted to detective and assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. Both officers have more than 10 years of law enforcement experience and have been commended for their performance as patrol officers. Their new roles are expected to strengthen the department’s investigative capabilities. “Join me in celebrating all of these dedicated officers who bring it every

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