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ST. JACOB – A man from St. Jacob faces major felony charges after sending multiple videos of child pornography through an online messaging platform. Andrew S. Bailey, 45, of St. Jacob, Ill. was charged on March 25, 2025 with five counts of child pornography, each Class X felonies. From May 30 to Nov. 25, 2024, Bailey allegedly sent five different videos depicting prepubescent and juvenile children involved in various sex acts via the Kik messaging application. A petition to deny Bailey’s pretrial release contains more details on the investigation that lead to his arrest. After the Madison County Sheriff’s Office received multiple CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), authorities sent search warrants to Home Telephone Co., Snapchat Inc., Yahoo, Kik, and Verizon Wireless. The IP addresses associated with the CyberTips were linked to Bailey, resulting in a search a warrant being executed at his residence. “The defendant

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ALTON - Rodney Smith wants Alton’s 4th Ward to grow. In a recent conversation on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , Smith, a candidate for Alton’s 4th Ward alderman seat, shared his vision for the ward and the City of Alton. He said he is most concerned about safety, the roads and continued growth. “I think about the kids and my dream for the kids and the City of Alton,” Smith said. “I go to these other communities and I see how they grow, like Edwardsville. I just want that for the City of Alton. That keeps me going. We have to do something for our kids to save our kids and our community as well.” After graduating from Alton High School in 1999, Smith joined the military and then the Department of Corrections. He was upset with how many children came through the prison system, and this led him to quit his job and take on a new position with Alton’s Catholic Children’s Home. He currently works as a residential

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Letter to the Editor I am voting for Ray Strebel because he is the best candidate to help improve and grow Alton. In 1990, I began building Hopp Hollow Estates in North Alton, and today, we have 45 homes built and occupied. At the start of the development, the city offered an incentive, contributing over $1 million toward streets and sewers, and I spent similar or even more towards the same. The city got their investment for streets and sewers back in just 15 years through its share of property taxes. The homes should last another 100 years, so the city will make money for a long time. And these homes have not just been financially helping Alton; these developments created jobs and have kept people living in Alton. So why have none of the recent mayors done anything similar with any other builders in our area? Why are we not developing homes in large groupings or on single lots? Older towns that have been struggling for a variety of reasons need incentives to attract builders

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O’FALLON - Community members are invited to the 25th anniversary celebration for United Congregations of Metro-East. At 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, United Congregations of Metro-East (UCM) will host a celebration at The Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon. Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III will provide the keynote address, and other community leaders will share more about UCM’s mission and impact on local communities. “Join us as we celebrate 25 years of faith, unity, and action with United Congregations of Metro-East!” the organization said in a statement. “For a quarter of a century, UCM has been at the forefront of empowering communities, driving social change, and fostering collaboration across the Metro-East region. As an organization, UCM unites people of faith across Southwestern Illinois to protest systemic injustices. They advocate for environmental justice, transformative justice and more voter engagement, among other issues. U

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SAINT JACOB - On March 17, 2025, Jason Tomlin and his family of Saint Jacob had to face an unimaginable tragedy when his 10-year-old son, Jacob, and the child's mother, Ashley, were killed in a head-on collision caused by a reckless driver. The incident left Tomlin not only grieving the loss of his child but also facing the challenge of finding a stable home for his surviving children, who are currently without a permanent residence. The accident occurred when a driver collided with Ashley's vehicle. Both Jacob and Ashley lost their lives that night, leaving behind three children, who had been living with their mother. Jason is struggling to secure housing quickly enough to accommodate the three surviving children, who live at their mother's home. In light of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist Jason and his children during this difficult time. The campaign seeks donations, resources for housing, and community support to help the family rebuild their lives.

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ALTON – Tiana Gipson, candidate for Ward 2 Alderwoman and the Alton School Board , stopped by Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to share more about her experience and priorities ahead of the April 1, 2025 elections. Gipson was appointed to the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education in 2023. In the race for Ward 2 Alderwoman, Gipson is challenging longtime incumbent Carolyn MacAfee and competing against another challenger, Martha Pfister. Asked why she decided to run in both the school board and aldermanic races, Gipson expressed a passion for giving back to her community in every capacity possible. She added that her conversations with city officials like 4th Ward Alderwoman Rosetta Brown, Mayor David Goins, and others also inspired her to run. “Acts of service always been a great passion of mine … I said, ‘You know what? Let me give it a shot, and see how I can better equip the community that I love,’” Gipson said.

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - LovelyLoons Luxury Event Rental and Balloon Decor has a new space in Fairview Heights, and owner Nancy Quiroz couldn’t be more excited. Quiroz founded LovelyLoons three years ago, and it has taken off as the top spot to rent chairs, backdrops, tables, tents or “anything you might need,” she said. They also help plan parties, weddings, quinceañeras and more. Their new store, located at 111 Union Hill Road in Fairview Heights, will open on April 2, 2025, and offer party supplies and rental items for all events. “I started with my daughter. She had a birthday party and we hired someone, and I was like, ‘Maybe I could do that too. I could probably start doing it and making other little kids happy,’” Quiroz remembered. “It just took off. We started with one party and it just took off.” Over the past three years, the family-owned business has expanded to offer a variety of services. They specialize

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ALTON — Germania Brew Haus, a beloved local coffee shop, is set to relocate just a few blocks from its original home after eight years at 617 E. Broadway in Alton. Owner Carolyn Brynildsen announced the move, expressing gratitude for the memories created in the flagship location. The new site at 700 E. Broadway in Alton will feature a dedicated drive-thru for quick pickups, as well as a rooftop and all-season patio seating. Brynildsen said, “This exciting change will allow us to better serve even more coffee lovers.” The shop will remain open at its current location through the summer months while construction of the new site is completed. Brynildsen mentioned plans for a farewell event to celebrate the shop's history and to thank the community for their support. “We would love for you to join us, so stay tuned on dates for that,” she said. Brynildsen also expressed appreciation for the assistance from City Alderman Ray Strebel and Alton City Hall,

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BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department is remembering the 15-year anniversary of the death of Deputy Sheriff Lamont C. Reid, who died on duty after suffering a heart attack. He died on March 26, 2010. Reid, 55, was assisting in the search for a suicidal man when he collapsed during a shift meeting during that time. The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office said at that time Reid was immediately transported to Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Deputy Reid has been with the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office for more than 20 years. Reid was survived by his wife and three children.

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department has issued a notice regarding a man wanted for multiple felonies, including unlawful use of a credit card and financial exploitation of the elderly. Andrey W. Wilke, whose last known address is in Collinsville, is also sought for identity theft by another agency. The announcement was made during the department's weekly "Fugitive Friday" segment, aimed at soliciting information from the public about wanted individuals. Authorities encourage anyone with knowledge of Wilke's whereabouts to contact the Collinsville Police Department at 618-344-2131, extension 5209. Tips can be submitted anonymously. The police department emphasized that individuals with information can leave a voicemail, and it urged Wilke directly to surrender himself at any police department in Illinois or nearby states, noting that their facilities are open 24/7. The charges against Wilke are based on probable cause, and he is presumed innocent until proven

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), and Intersect Illinois, joined by public and private sector leaders from across the state, will lead a trade mission to Mexico from March 30-April 2, 2025. This trade mission will focus on the importance of deepening economic ties and fostering greater cooperation between the State of Illinois and Mexico. The delegation will engage with Mexican counterparts to discuss enhancing collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture and food processing, finance, and manufacturing, all of which are vital to growing the Illinois economy and creating jobs. Through this mission, Illinois seeks to strengthen its longstanding partnership with Mexico, paving the way for future investment and shared success. “Illinois is a prime destination for businesses seeking to invest and grow in the U.S. market. Our state's forward-thinking policies,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—joined fellow SASC and SFRC member Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and 14 other Senate colleagues in calling on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), SASC and SFRC to hold hearings to investigate why members of President Trump’s national security team were recklessly discussing classified military operations on unsecured devices. In the letter, the Senators also criticized the incompetence and carelessness of how these Trump officials mishandled the situation and inadvertently added a journalist to the group chat. The letter comes after new reporting detailed the classified military plans that were discussed in the commercial, unclassified messaging app. “We write to you with grave concern regarding the recent revelations reported in The Atlantic about

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - House Republicans back our military and veterans for their sacrifices to protect our great nation. State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights) says there are many ways we can show respect to individuals who are active-duty in the military. House Bill 1125 was filed by Rep. Schmidt to say, “thank you for your service.” “My bill is a small gesture to show appreciation to the men and women who are committed to serving the greatest nation on earth,” said Schmidt. “This legislation should have bipartisan support, and I look forward to see it move forward in committee so we can further honor those serving in the military.” HB1125 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. If passed and signed into law, the bill would eliminate vehicle registration fees (vehicle weighing not more than 8,000 pounds) for active-duty military personnel. The current law reduces registration fees, but Rep. Schmidt wants to see the fees completely

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Did you know that Americans spent approximately $17 billion on second-hand goods in 2020? With a rising interest in sustainability and vintage finds, yard sales have transformed from mere neighborhood events into thriving marketplaces where hidden treasures await. If you're considering hosting a yard sale this spring, you stand not just to declutter your home but also to connect with your community, make some extra cash, and contribute to a culture of reusability. Hosting a successful yard sale requires thoughtful planning, strategic marketing, and a customer-friendly experience. Here’s how to make your yard sale a standout event. Setting the Stage: Preparing for the Sale 1. Declutter and Organize Before you can sell, you need to sort through your belongings. Take a weekend to go through rooms, closets, and storage areas. Create three piles: items to sell, items to donate, and items to throw away. For the items you plan to sell, ensure they are clean and in good condition.

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March 28, 2025, marks a significant day in history, highlighting various global events that have shaped our world. Looking back to historical milestones, on March 28, 1979, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident took place in Pennsylvania, USA. This incident was the most serious accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history, sparking widespread public fear about nuclear safety. The partial meltdown of the reactor raised questions about the future of nuclear energy in the United States and led to significant changes in regulations governing nuclear power plants. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and oversight in energy production. In 1930, March 28 marked the first-ever radio broadcast of a major sports event. The game featured the University of Pennsylvania's baseball team against the University of Chicago. This broadcast ushered in a new era of sports entertainment, allowing fans to follow their favorite teams from the comfort of their homes.

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BATCHTOWN — Emergency responders swiftly mobilized to a structure fire in Batchtown, at 1:51 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, after a bystander reported the incident to West Central 911 Dispatch. The fire broke out in the 100 block of West Batchtown Road, prompting a rapid response from multiple local agencies. Volunteer firefighters from the Richwoods Volunteer Fire Department and Point Fire Protection District, alongside EMS personnel from Calhoun Volunteer Ambulance and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, arrived on the scene shortly after the call, with the first firefighters reaching the location by 1:57 p.m. on Wednesday. The Village of Hardin Fire Department also provided mutual aid. Upon arrival, EMS personnel learned that a 59-year-old female occupant was still inside the burning residence. Firefighters from Richwoods made entry into the home, successfully locating and recovering the victim while simultaneously extinguishing the fire. Immediate life-saving

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Letter To The Editor: I want to wholeheartedly endorse Susan Robbins for Godfrey Village Clerk. She is the only qualified candidate on the ballot. She is a certified Municipal Clerk who understands the significant role of the clerk to ensure the village is in compliance with Municipal law. As a Godfrey Trustee, I have been impressed with how she handles her clerk responsibilities and takes responsibility for her actions. She was involved with the township starting in 2001 and assumed the deputy clerk position in 2019. In all she has served 24 years as supervisor assistant, Deputy Clerk and Village Clerk. She assumed the Village Clerk roll tow years ago and had a seamless transition taking over from the previous Village Clerk, Bethany Bohn. She has always come across as a people person and runs an efficient operation while serving the public with a smile. Susan has continued to organize Mobile DMV services in Godfrey, Shred-it days and most recently put together the NO Knock ordinance

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Whenever you feel a headache coming on or you tweak your back, it’s common to reach into the medicine cabinet for a couple of acetaminophens (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). But does it matter which one you take? And is there anything wrong with taking both to fight off what ails you? Acetaminophen is an analgesic, which is a type of drug that reduces pain signals within your nervous system. It’s used to treat discomfort like headaches and joint pain, and to reduce fever. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is typically used to tackle issues such as back pain, menstrual cramps and toothaches. It also works to decrease fever. Sarah Sheley is a pharmacist with OSF HealthCare. She says it’s important to know that ibuprofen helps with inflammation and acetaminophen can’t do that. “The difference between the two is the fact that the ibuprofen, that anti-inflammatory component, reduces pain by affecting the production of certain

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ROCKFORD – On behalf of the Diocese of Springfield and an Illinois pro-life pregnancy center, Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a state law that forces religious organizations to hire employees who violate their religious beliefs on reproductive issues like abortion. “Illinois can’t force pro-life religious organizations to bend their knee to the state’s secular view of abortion,” said ADF Senior Counsel Mark Lippelmann. “The Constitution protects the right of religious organizations to choose workers who will advance—rather than contradict—their religious beliefs. We urge the court to uphold these organizations’ fundamental right to serve their communities consistent with their faith.” The Diocese of Springfield affirms, proclaims, and strives to live out the teachings of the Catholic Church throughout the state of Illinois, including indispensable beliefs about reproduction,

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ALTON - Chris Bell wants to see changes in Alton’s 5th Ward. In a recent conversation on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , Bell, a candidate for 5th Ward alderman, explained his vision for the 5th Ward and the City of Alton. He wants to see improved streets and less “derelict” houses, which he believes will improve property values. “At the end of the day, I won’t give up on Ward 5 no matter what,” he said. “Being an Alton person all my entire life, I can guarantee you, I won’t give up on negotiating and putting every need of Ward 5 first. And then I will meet and help out with everybody else after that. But Ward 5 will be my first priority.” Bell works at Busch Stadium and with the Alton Community Unit School District #11. He previously worked in construction. Though he grew up in the city, he never expected to run for office. However, he has become dissatisfied with the roads in the 5th Ward, whic

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