Riverbender 🕸

EDWARDSVILLE - Marvin "Preach" Webb as his niece Shari Webb described "transitioned into the next life" when he died at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at age 86 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. Preach was in essence Mr. Edwardsville, the happy, smiling man, who visited the Downtown Edwardsville businesses and brought a kind word to everyone he came in contact with within the city. Even a few days ago, she said her uncle Marvin was still smiling and blowing kisses to people when an ambulance brought him home. “Uncle Marvin was truly somebody special,” Shari said. “He was about the only person I know of in Edwardsville other than Mr. Vadalabene who could go right into buildings without an appointment. When he had birthdays almost everyone had a party for him. Edwardsville always took care of Uncle Marvin.” One night, Marvin was at Lori’s Place when acclaimed actor Tim Robbins was in the city filming a movie. Tim visited Lori’s Place and got

Continue Reading

ALTON – The Women’s Health and Childbirth Center at Alton Memorial Hospital is always a friendly place for new parents and their babies. And now the department has officially been redesignated as “Baby Friendly.” Baby-Friendly USA conducted the assessment virtually last fall and this spring to ensure that the practices supporting the tenets of Baby-Friendly have been maintained since the hospital’s initial designation in 2016. Confirmation was received in mid-May. Baby-Friendly USA is the U.S. authority for the implementation of BFHI, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies – certainly a noble effort with the recent baby formula shortage. “Achievement of the Baby-Friendly Designation is not an easy task,”

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Centerstone, a not-for-profit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, has announced that Marcy McFadden, clinical manager at Centerstone’s Fellowship House Campus, will retire at the end of June 2022. McFadden joined the Fellowship House in 1999 as a graduate intern and then as a counselor. She has served as clinical manager since 2008, where she was responsible for the development, organization, and management of the Fellowship House; direct supervision of staff; compliance with standards, regulations and laws at the facility; and the financial viability of the Fellowship House Campus. “I am most proud of being a part of a team that is passionate about their work and helping those with substance use disorders,” McFadden said. “And, the highlight of my career has always been the times when a former Fellowship House patient calls or stops by to share their recovery success story. McFadden is married to

Continue Reading

O'FALLON, IL. - Caritas Family Solutions’ Fontebella Maternity Home in O’Fallon, Illinois recently expanded its services and is now the only maternity home in Southern Illinois that is a licensed child welfare institute. With this license, Fontebella is now able to provide services to Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) youth who are pregnant. Caritas CEO Gary Huelsmann said over the years, his agency has always sought to meet the needs they see in the community. He said it became clear to them that there was a great need to provide housing for youth who are pregnant or have children. For over a decade, Fontebella Maternity Home has provided a caring place for women who are pregnant and experiencing homelessness. Through their services, Fontebella aims to empower women dealing with substance abuse, addiction or violence to make positive changes to their lives. It also provides women with a safe place to live, food, counseling, a variety of parenting classes,

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Golden Graduates paved the way for future generations of Cougars. These alumni, who graduated 50 or more years ago, returned to their alma mater this spring to celebrate with one another and with the Class of 2022 during commencement weekend May 4-7. “In 2017, we began inviting alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago to come back to campus to celebrate this amazing milestone and to participate in the Golden Graduation Reunion,” said Cathy Taylor, interim vice chancellor for university advancement and CEO of the SIUE Foundation. “A highlight of the reunion is having our Golden Graduates participate in commencement. In doing so, we establish a common thread to connect the past and the future of SIUE.” After hosting the Golden Graduation Reunion virtually in 2021 due to the pandemic, this year’s celebration marked a return to in-person events. The festivities, which highlighted the Class

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC – Days after the 78 th anniversary of D-Day, President Joe Biden signed into law bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) to award the U.S. Army Ranger Veterans of World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal. Duckworth and Ernst both serve on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2014 and Ernst is a retired lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard. “U.S. Army Rangers bravely wore the uniform of this great nation and participated in some of the most important battles of World War II,” said Senator Duckworth. “The impact and influence of these elite soldiers and the sacrifices they made to protect their fellow Americans cannot be overstated. 78 years after D-Day, I’m proud President Biden signed into law my bipartisan legislation with Senator Ernst to finally

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - As prices at the pump continue to rise, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is encouraging area residents to consider utilizing public transit in recognition of National Dump the Pump Day on Friday, June 17, 2022. The organization has a FREE Try & Ride program that makes it easy for those who are new to MetroLink or MetroBus to familiarize themselves with the region’s integrated system to get them where they need to go. Those who register for the program on National Dump the Pump Day will be entered into a prize drawing for free transit passes for one year. Registration can be complete at w ww.cmt-stl.org . “Public transit is a safe, convenient and cost-effective transportation option, but many shy away from it because of the unknowns – including which route or line to take, how to purchase tickets and more,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “The Try & Ride program addresses these concerns head-on.

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, today introduced a resolution opposing the criminalization of the full range of reproductive and sexual healthcare, including abortion, gender-affirming care and contraceptive care. The resolution also disapproves of the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. “All Americans, regardless of gender, income, race or zip code, deserve to have access to healthcare, including the full range of reproductive healthcare and gender-affirming care,” said Duckworth. “As we await what could be a disastrous ruling from the Supreme Court rolling back reproductive rights for millions, Republicans across the nation are also pushing forward bills that would throw patients and doctors in jail for seeking or providing care. We must do more to protect every person’s access to full reproductive care, which is why I’m

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - Come out and make your “Journey to Jerseyville” with Shopthe618 on 6/18 from 9am-5pm. Help us celebrate the summer with a good old day of retail therapy. There is something for everyone in our community. This is a day filled with fun and shopping with lots of deals and/or giveaways at every location. This event is one of three shop local events hosted annually by the #shopthe618 small business group. These events are not only about local businesses supporting each other and creating a fun day of shopping for our customers, but they’re also about our community and reaching people outside of Jerseyville to show them the amazing shopping available here. Punch cards will be available for pick-up starting June 16th at all participating locations. Get your punches and something unique at every stop. You can pick up a punch card from any of the ShopThe618 locations the day of as well. As you shop at each store, have them punch your card. Turn that card int

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE - During the National Safety Council’s National Safety Month, Illinois American Water is reminding motorists to move over for safety through a social media #moveover campaign. Throughout June, Illinois American Water employees and their families will be featured on the company’s Facebook page to highlight Scott’s Law and the importance of moving over for law enforcement, emergency, utility and other vehicles displaying warning lights. Scott's Law, 625 ILCS 5/11-907(c), is a mandatory move over law in the state of Illinois. The law requires all motorists to move over when encountering stopped or disabled vehicles displaying warning lights. Since 2000, all fifty states have enacted some form of a “Move Over” law. Illinois extended the “Move Over” requirements to motorists with their hazard lights activated along highways. Scott’s Law was named in honor of Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department who was struck and killed

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton’s 25th annual All-Wheels Drive-In Car Show will be held on Sunday, June 12th from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The event typically attracts over 200 classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles, which the public is welcome to browse on 3rd, 4th, State and Belle Streets. There is no charge for admission. Alton Main Street organizes this tradition with support from Time Machines Unlimited Car Club. Come out for the autos and stay for the live music, 50-50 drawing, vendor displays and festival food court. This year’s entertainment is Tele-Starr! From 2:00-3:00 p.m. the band will perform golden oldies jukebox music which blends classic Americana with ringing harmonies, a country western flair and a splash of surf rock. The band also operates a mobile retail shop called The Teardrop, which will be at the event. Make sure to check out this awesome 1961 aluminum camper that contains a unique “thrift-dive” pop-up shopping experience for old souls and vintage lovers

Continue Reading

Washington, D.C. - After a man attempted to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanagh early this morning, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) is calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to immediately call a vote on legislation that would provide families of Supreme Court justices with around-the-clock police protection. “Attempted violence against a Supreme Court justice isn’t random,” said Rep. Rodney Davis. “Left-wing groups have published the home addresses of justices and encouraged protests. Democrats like Chuck Schumer have amped up their rhetoric in recent years, saying justices ‘will pay a price’ for legal decisions Democrats don’t like. Dangerous rhetoric from Democrats against Supreme Court justices threatens our institutions and the safety of justices and their families. It’s long past time for Speaker Pelosi to call a vote on the ‘Supreme Court Police Parity Act,’ which passed the Senate unanimously a month ago

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – After a week-long trial, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict convicting a California man of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances. Arturo Ledesma, Jr., 33, of Watsonville, CA., was charged in a superseding indictment on December 10, 2019, with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances between January 2017 and May 2018. The jury heard evidence that Ledesma supplied marijuana and methamphetamine to co-conspirators in California and Pennsylvania starting in 2017. In May of 2018, co-conspirators were arrested in Madison County, Illinois, while they trafficked more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine across the country. Sentencing will be held on September 19, 2022, before the Honorable Chief Judge Nancy Rosenstengel. Co-Defendants Enrique Vazquez and Dastisha Velez of Reading, Pennsylvania; Mitchell Abreu of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Jeremy Inderyas of Brooklyn, New York; and Lauren Korn

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met today with representatives from March For Our Lives , a youth-led movement against gun violence that began after a 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida. During the meeting, Durbin discussed the ongoing Senate negotiations on gun legislation and reiterated his support for “common-sense gun violence prevention solutions like closing gaps in the gun background check system,” according to a press release from Durbin’s office. Earlier this week, Durbin held a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the growing threat of domestic terrorism, which featured testimony from Garnell Whitfield, Jr., whose mother Ruth was murdered in the recent mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. The full text of his testimony can be read here . Durbin mentioned the testimony from victims of both the Buffalo and Uvalde shootings during his meeting with March For Our

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department today posted on its Facebook page a warning to residents to not attempt to rescue fawns. The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area has a heavy deer population and fawns are often visible in a stationary position. The Edwardsville Police said fawns stay very still to conceal themselves until they are old enough to keep up with their mother. The mother will not stand near the fawns for fear of alerting predators to their presence, they said. "Leave fawns alone, and the mother eventually returns," the police said. A wildlife specialist agreed about fawns: "Please leave it alone. Its mother is very likely nearby and will return within about 12 hours. Thousands of healthy fawns are captured each summer and taken from their mothers because people believe them to be abandoned."

Continue Reading

Residents around the region definitely heard or felt the loud boom just after 2 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8. After a series of source calls Tuesday, a definite cause of the noise that shook the area could not be determined. The Madison County Sheriff's Office investigated the situation but could not determine a cause even after an investigation. The Rosewood Heights Fire Department was alerted of the boom but did not have a cause. The National Weather Service in St. Louis did not have any reports about the incident and they did a check that showed there was no earthquake activity in that vicinity said to be the Fosterburg, Rosewood Heights area. The Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery also did not have anything unusual to report at that time of the morning. These are some assorted comments about the loud boom sent to Riverbender.com after the story was published Tuesday afternoon: Kylinn Boyer said the following: "There was what seemed to be a loud explosion in the Godfrey/Alton/Cottage Hills/Rosewoo

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney High School announced their Honor Roll and High Honor Roll lists for the 2022 spring semester. High Honor Roll is a weighted GPA of 3.60 and above. Honor Roll is a weighted GPA of 3.0-3.59 Grade 12 High Honor Roll: John Barz, Amelia Beltramea, Lorelai Biegler, Allison Broadwater, Grace Delp, Timothy Evans, Ciara Folkerts, Maria Guehlstorf, Ellie Hamm, Jude Henke, Mary Lorraine Hentz, Elizabeth Hyten, Olivia Jackson, Caroline Kassing, Steven Kraus, Cameron Krause, Asa Kromray, Christopher Landoll, Charlize Luehmann, Isabelle Manning, Jillian Matthews, Emma Noe, Lauren Propes, Zion Ratchford, Anne Schilly, Nathan Sedabres, Devon Silhavy, Macy Smith, Grace Stanhaus, Elizabeth Telthorst, Gregory Venarsky, Sean Vrenick, Bailey Washam, Andrew Wenos, Brennan Zumwalt, Riley Zumwalt Grade 11 High Honor Roll: Elisabeth Antonini, Mary Elizabeth Benware, Wyatt Biermann, Alexis Bond, Emma Bukovac, Madeline Burkart, Madeline Burnett, Samuel Chouinard,

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis Story Stitchers youth artists will perform at 4 local Juneteenth events with messages about public health and safety— boosting vaccine confidence and encouraging their peers to take the lead on gun violence prevention. JUNETEENTH EVENTS: June 11, 2022 Juneteenth Celebration East Delmar Loop Delmar at Hamilton 1:00-1:30 Performance 12:00-5:00 Booth June 18, 2022 Juneteenth Celebration Maker District Craft Alliance 5080 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108 12:30-1:00 Performance June 18, 2022 Juneteenth Celebration Old North St. Louis 1307 Montgomery, 63106 2:30-3:00 Performance June 26, 2022 Juneteenth Celebration Ferguson True Vine Missionary Baptist Church 8420 Hill Ave, 63121 1:00-1:30 Performance 11:00-2:00 Booth Acknowledgments Saint Louis Story Stitchers is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. On the web at arts dot gov. Additional support for Story Stitchers youth

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – Burning toxic synthetic chemicals will be banned thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt that was signed into law Wednesday. “PFAS can harm people and the environment,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This initiative stems from concerns that our neighbors have surrounding the waste incinerator in Sauget, which puts Metro East residents at risk of exposure to these harmful substances.” The new law bans incinerating materials covered under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory that contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. Thermal oxidation for the purposes of pollution control, combustion of gases at landfills, medical waste incinerators and byproducts generated by municipal wastewater treatment facilities are exempted. The Veolia Environmental Services waste incinerator in Sauget will now be prohibited from incinerating firefighting foams, a product

Continue Reading

CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College has announced its Dean's List for the spring 2022 semester. Students named to the Dean's list must earn a grade point average of 3.6 or higher for the semester. Area students include: Alton, IL Vashea Stanford Brighton, IL Jayden Sansone Carrollton, IL Christian Curtner East Alton, IL Dylan Klunk Jerseyville, IL Evan Hopper About Blackburn College: Founded in 1837, Blackburn College is a four-year, Presbyterian-related, co-educational liberal arts college located in Carlinville, IL. One of only nine federally-recognized Work Colleges, Blackburn has the only program in the nation fully managed by students. Balancing academic rigor and experiential learning, each student at Blackburn gains tangible experience and develops critical skills by contributing to their community, all while building a resume and earning their degree. In their 2020 Best Colleges Rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Blackburn College

Continue Reading