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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School has canceled Friday night's home game against Columbia because of injuries to its limited roster. The Explorers have a very young varsity football team and after some injuries to key players that will limit the number of players available, the athletic department made a decision to not play the home encounter. Most of the injured players are expected to return for the school's homecoming game on September 16. Brian Hoener, Marquette’s director of athletics, said it was a “difficult decision,” but one he and others affiliated with Marquette felt they had to do. He said the Columbia athletic director was "very understanding" about the situation. “The health and safety of our players are at the forefront of every decision we make, including this one, and our focus remains on the long-term growth of the program,” Hoener said. “We have a great group of dedicated players, with good numbers in our freshman class, wit

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones had a strong reaction to the tragic hit-and-run accident Tuesday on South Grand in St. Louis. Police have identified the victim on a bicycle as Danyell McMiller, 47, of St. Louis. He was hit just before 1 p.m. Tuesday in the 2800 block of South Grand Boulevard in the Tower Grove East neighborhood and he later died at an area hospital. Jones said: “Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, cities across the country have seen a spike in traffic violence, and today’s tragic hit-and-run on South Grand is a reminder that St. Louis is no exception. "City departments continue to review potential solutions to make our streets safer no matter how St. Louisans choose to get around.” Police described the car that hit the man as a "white, newer model Kia" with no license plates. If anyone has any information about the incident, you are encouraged to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 314-231-1212.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Tuesday, September 6, 2022, St. Louis County Police Colonel Kenneth L. Gregory announced the promotions of Lieutenants Anthony Cavaletti and John Pfanstiel to the rank of Captain, Sergeant Edward Magee to the rank of Lieutenant, and Police Officers Daniel Bradley, Brandon McCrary, and Matthew Reed to the rank of Sergeant. Captain Anthony Cavaletti joined the Department in 1999. Captain Cavaletti previously served in the South County Precinct, the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy, the Central County Precinct, the Bureau of Crimes Against Property, the Bureau of Crimes Against Persons, and the North County Precinct, and is currently assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Unit. Captain Cavaletti earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Management from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Business of Security Management from Webster University. Captain Cavaletti has received 11 Department awards and commendations. Captain

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LOS ANGELES - Alton High grad IV4 recently shared her excitement Tuesday with Riverbender.com about winning the Opening Act quarterfinals to advance to the competition's semifinals. She said: "I am shocked! The amount of love and support my friends, and family have been showing me throughout this competition is overwhelming. Even though I'm hundreds of miles away, from my hometown of Alton - people have been pushing me through this contest. "I think it's amazing what people can do when they're unified for a good cause (suicide prevention). I'm incredibly grateful for how far I've come, but the competition is not over yet! I believe we can do this." IV4 was a student at Alton High, where she graduated in 2014. Since then she has been pursuing her dream to become a professional singer and it happens one step at a time. She now lives in Los Angeles and is signed with Warner Music. She released her first musical project last March called "Get rich and cry trying" and she has songs featuring

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JERSEYVILLE – COUNTRY Insurance Agent and proud SFHG parent, Nathan Wittman is pleased to support St. Francis Holy Ghost School’s purchase of classroom supplies as teachers and administrators gear up for the first day of school. After providing lunch, Wittman presented a donation of $1,500 to St. Francis Holy Ghost School on August 16. “We are so pleased to be able to help take care of those who help care for us and enrich our lives and strengthen our community – everyday heroes like our teachers,” said Wittman. “This donation is a small token of our appreciation that I hope will continue to positively impact our community by ensuring that teachers have the supplies that they need to support our students.” COUNTRY Financial, an insurance and financial services company, has donated more than $4 million since 2020 to organizations and programs that support teachers, first responders, active-duty service members and veterans, supporting the

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EDWARDSVILLE - This is another in a series of articles on entries with photos in the Edwardsville Art Fair on Sept. 23-25. Today, Alton, Highland, and Herrin artists are featured. Artist Name: David Bailey Location: Alton Artist Statement: "Shaping and soldering Sterling Silver using time-honored silversmith techniques and tools is how I create my jewelry. Bringing the piece to reality and seeing a sense of joy, wonder, and satisfaction from my patrons is thrilling and humbling." Artist Name: April Goeke Location: Herrin Artist Statement: "Animals are the center of attention for my art. My paintings focus on creating intimate images of wildlife and domestic animals. The scenery in my art is often full of flora." Artist Name: Brady Kesner Location: Highland Artist Statement: "I am a believer in the power of Nature to provide comfort, and healing, and reduce stress. It is my intention to connect the viewers of my images (and myself) to Nature in order

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SHIPMAN - Harman Auction, a family-owned and operated auction house in Shipman, holds large on-site auctions every Tuesday starting at 4:30 p.m. They sell a variety of things from antiques and primitives to tractors, farm implements, and vehicles. They also see quite a bit of sports memorabilia come through. They don't typically hold a lot of online-only auctions but will do so so for large collections and/or high-dollar items. Their on-site auctions are cash and check only, however for this online auction credit/debit card payments can be made. Shipping is also available on almost every item for out-of-state buyers. Local buyers can pick up their items from the auction house. Their most recent online auction, going on now until September 21, features a variety of signed and other collectible sports items. This auction includes authentic NFL helmets signed by the likes of Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck, and Mac Jones to name a few. There are also jerseys signed by Ezekial

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WOOD RIVER - As expected, East Alton-Wood River High School senior running back Seth Slayden has emerged as one of the Oilers' top players in the 2022 football season that just kicked off. Seth Slayden is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Slayden said he wanted to thank his parents and grandparents for all their support in his various sports activities. "I want to thank all my coaches who have had faith in me on the fields, and in the gym, and have helped me be the best I can be," he said. "I believe my hard work ethic has helped me reach my goals. My high school sports career has taught me how to work hard and stay focused to reach my goals." "This is my eighth year of playing organized football and my favorite thing about this sport is the bond that you make with your teammates." Seth said he enjoys hanging out with friends and riding motorcycles in his spare time. Seth wants to continue with sports in college, but he is undecided about wher

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PIASA - Lane Gage is a very special young man in his final year at Southwestern High School. Lane is not only a three-sport athlete but also on August 19, 2022, he graduated from U.S. Army Basic Training in Fort Benning, Ga. He will go back to Fort Benning in the summer of 2023 for Advanced Individual Training (AIT). He is currently a senior at Southwestern High School and is a member of the Piasa Birds’ football, basketball and track, and field teams. He is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month. Lane’s mother, Sarah, and father, Scott, could not be more proud of their son for his accomplishments in athletics, school and now with his goal of being an officer in the U.S. Army National Guard. Scott said his brother, Kyle Johnson, is a sergeant in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He said his son and Kyle are very close and he believes Kyle inspired his son to want to pursue a career in the National Guard. Lane is undecided on where

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CARMI – On September 5, 2022, at approximately 7:49 p.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash involving an ISP District 19 Trooper on Interstate 64 westbound at milepost 101 in Wayne County. On the above date and time, an ISP District 19 Trooper was stationary on the right shoulder with emergency lights activated. The Trooper was standing outside of the vehicle assisting another Trooper with enforcement duties, when the Trooper’s squad car was sideswiped. A gray Dodge half ton pickup truck, traveling westbound on Interstate 64, failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and struck the left rear quarter panel area of the ISP squad car. The Trooper was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. The uninjured driver of the Dodge, 72-year-old Elvie J. Cagle of Chesterfield, IL was issued a citation for a violation of Scott’s Law – Improper Passing of an Emergency Vehicle and Improper Lane Usage. So

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EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Lutheran High School has a full varsity girls' golf team this year and they are off to a great start. The girls on the squad are Katie Wright, Marlaina Graney, Sierrah Kreher, and Kate Mueller. The MELHS girls are being recognized as Knights Female Athletes of the Month. “It’s great to finally be able to field a full girls team,” said Knights Coach Chase Langendorf. “I’ve been able to work with a handful of girls during my first two years coaching, but we never had enough for a full team. "I believe this is the first time our school has had a girls' team. Having a girls' team will be a great opportunity for our student-athletes and I’m looking forward to getting this program started.” The girls' varsity match this past week was won by the Gibault Hawks with a team score of 194, but the Knights show strong potential for the rest of the season, Coach Langendorf said.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Last week was a busy, successful, and historic time for the Metro East Lutheran Knights boys golf team. On Monday, Roxana hosted a varsity quadrangular match at Belk Park which included East Alton – Wood River, Southwestern Piasa, and the Knights. The Knights, led by Junior Cole Renken who took the match medalist, earned the win with a team score of 200, followed by Southwestern (222) and Roxana (228). EAWR only fielded two golfers. The Knights took scores from Cole Renken (44), Jacob Kober (50), Logan Abbott (51), and Erik Neath (55). Roxana was led by Anderson with a score of 52 and Piasa scoring was anchored by Biciochi with a score of 51. One night later, the Knights headed to Acorns Golf Links in Waterloo to take on host Gibault and Valmeyer. This was a historic evening for the Knights as they were not only able to field boys varsity and junior varsity team. “I’m proud of where this Knights boys team is going," MELHS head golf coach Chase Langedorf

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COLUMBIA – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that Illinois Rt 3 from I-255 to Gilmore Lake in Columbia will be intermittently restricted to one lane in each direction beginning Monday, September 12, 2022, weather permitting. This work will take place daily. Traffic in each direction will be maintained using flaggers and arrow boards. All northbound lanes will remain open between 6 a.m.-9 a.m., and all Southbound lanes will remain open between 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday. This work is necessary to complete pavement repairs and then resurface the roadway and is expected to be completed by the end of Summer 2023. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. The contractor on this project is The Christ Bros of Lebanon, Illinois. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view

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SPRINGFIELD - A new study shows methamphetamine remains a stubbornly prevalent illicit substance in large swaths of rural America. Findings recently published in JAMA Network Open indicate that methamphetamine is driving overdoses in rural communities. About four of five people who use drugs in rural areas across 10 states reported using meth in the past 30 days, according to researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and other institutions. “Methamphetamine use is pervasive among people who use drugs in rural communities,” said Todd Korthuis, MD, MPH, professor of medicine in the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, head of addiction medicine at OHSU, and lead author of the study. The problem is often overlooked due to the focus on opioid abuse. “We need more national data about rural drug use,” said Wiley Jenkins, PhD, a co-author of the study that gathered research from 10 states.

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ALTON - Senior Aidan O'Keefe is playing the best golf of his career right now for Marquette Catholic High School. Almost a third of the way into the season now and he hasn't let up. This has by far been his best August yet, according to head coach Ryan Geisler. The stats don't lie either. Let's take a look at the scores he's posted so far this season. Things kicked off at the Hickory Stick Invitational where he shot an even-par 72. That was the best individual score of the day, making him a medalist. The Explorers placed third out of 20 teams. He shot another 72 at the Alton Tee Off which earned him fourth. At the Madison County Tournament, he finished one under par shooting a 71. He earned a small school medal. Marquette as a team shot 317, which was good enough for first place in the small school’s division. What came next is probably the craziest part. In a weekday nine-hole match against Jerseyville at Spencer T. Olin, O'Keefe shot six under. According to coach Geisler,

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HARDIN - At 10:50 p.m. on September 3, 2022, a deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the Illinois River Road near Batchtown Road, Calhoun County, Illinois. Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, Michael D. Dempsey, 34, of Bowling Green, Missouri was arrested on the following charges: Aggravated Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol (Third or Subsequent Offense) Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Interlock Device When Required Driving While Suspended - Felony Reckless Driving Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle Speeding (21–25 MPH Over Limit) Improper Lane Usage Illegal Transportation of Alcohol by Driver Dempsey was arrested without incident and was lodged at the Jersey County Jail. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office has announced that a traffic stop on Geske Hollow Road near North Mississippi River Road in Calhoun County led to charges against an Alton woman. The traffic stop occurred at 4:17 p.m. on August 31, 2022. The driver - Lisa A. Edwards, 50, of Alton - was operating a red 2001 Dodge truck. Subsequent to an investigation, the driver was arrested on the following charges: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Unlawful Possession of Adult Use Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle – Driver Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle Edwards is currently lodged at Greene County Jail. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GRANITE CITY - Each Saturday this October, a different Halloween-themed event is planned in “The District” in downtown Granite City. Brenda Whitaker, director of Arts, Entertainment, and Tourism for Granite City, said the events will include Granite City’s first Halloween float parade, costume contests, a dance party, a scavenger “haunt” and more. First is the Creepy Crawler Parade starting at 4 p.m. on October 8 at Granite City High School. The parade will travel down Madison Avenue and end at Civic Park. Whitaker said this parade will have a “TV and Movies” theme. “We thought people could be creative, whether it’s a Saturday morning cartoon like Scooby Doo or their favorite Halloween movie, I’m sure people will be very creative while keeping in mind it is a family event,” Whitaker said. “It doesn’t have to be completely Halloween-themed, but I’m sure there will be a sprinkling of some. We think

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Madison County has filed a petition asking the Illinois Supreme Court to review the Fourth Appellate District’s ruling on the recently passed judicial subcircuit legislation. Joining Madison County in the petition were Christina Wiley of Bethalto (pro se plaintiff), Judges Christopher Threlkeld and Amy Sholar (Represented by Attorney James Craney), and Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (Represented by Phillip A. Luetkehans). “Prior to the passage of this subcircuit law, all residents of Madison County could vote for their circuit judges,” said Haine. “Now, the boundaries have been gerrymandered in such a way that only a fraction of the residents of Madison County will have the right to vote on Circuit judges, even though they will still have power to decide cases for all County residents. We think that concept is fundamentally unfair and a violation of our Constitution.” “Als

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GRANITE CITY - When the Labor Day Parade officially rolls through Granite City, Mayor Mike Parkinson ranks as one of the proudest participants. The Granite City Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 5 was well-attended as the community marked the holiday again. “What a great day for Granite City to honor the working man and women of our region," Mayor Parkinson said afterward. Parkinson said his reason to get into the political race for mayor was simple: “I want to be a voice for the city. It’s important to me to mark this holiday. I was born and raised here; I am a third-generation in Granite City. Granite City has always been about supporting labor and the working man. That is why we are geared up to support the steelworkers in their fight right now for jobs at U.S. Steel.” The mayor said the U.S. Steel situation doesn’t have a short-term solution and it will be a “long-term battle” to preserve the jobs. The parade had a little of everything

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