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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School's Radio Broadcasting and Communications class has been named a finalist in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Student Section & Spirit Showdown, continuing a tradition of excellence that has characterized the program in recent years. The announcement was made as the competition gears up for its final results, which will be revealed this weekend. The class, led by teacher Elizabeth DeCourcey, has participated in the showdown for several years, achieving notable success, including two championship wins. Marquette Catholic Principal Tim Harmon expressed admiration for the students' dedication and creativity, highlighting the program's ability to adapt and thrive amidst changing dynamics each year. "Every year, new students join the program, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives," Harmon said. "Mrs. DeCourcey consistently works her magic, helping each student find their voice and place in the world of broadcasting and videography." The program'

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WOOD RIVER – Councilman Bill Dettmers has issued a statement in response to the recently scheduled special meeting of the Wood River City Council to consider changing the requirements to call for a special meeting. As previously reported on Riverbender.com , Mayor Tom Stalcup called for a special meeting this Thursday , March 6, 2025 at 5 p.m. to consider amending the City Code section regarding meetings. The amendment would raise the number of council members needed to submit written requests for a special meeting from two to three. In response to these developments, Dettmers has issued the following statement: “The reason why Mayor Stalcup called this Special Meeting can only be explained as an attempt to deny Councilmember David ‘Doc’ Ayres and my request for a Special City Council Meeting on Monday, March 10, at 7 p.m. The purpose of our requested Special City Council Meeting is to schedule a hearing for the purpose of termination of City Manager Steve

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure through committee to mandate training for emergency medical dispatchers on how to provide CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. “We are losing too many of our friends and family to heart disease,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Ensuring that our emergency dispatchers are well-equipped to handle these situations will save lives.” Senate Bill 1295 would mandate all 9-1-1 telecommunicators to be trained in telecommunicator-CPR and would require emergency medical dispatchers to be trained in T-CPR. T-CPR is when a dispatcher provides over-the-phone CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. This process is a key part of the chain of survival for cardiac arrest. Senate Bill 1295 is an initiative of the American Heart Association with backing from the Illinois State Police. The trainings would be put on by the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator,

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EDWARDSVILLE - A woman is someone who is courageous, strong and clear about who they are, according to Venessa A. Brown , PhD, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville emerita professor in the Department of Social Work. “She is in it to win it, no matter what!” Brown told an audience on Monday, March 3 in the Oak/Redbud Room of the Morris University Center. Brown, a retired tenured professor who enjoyed a long and impressive career at SIUE that included decades of diversity and inclusion work, opened the University’s Wom*n’s History Month (WHM). This year’s theme is Moving Forward Together! Wom*n Educating and Inspiring Generations. The audience got the chance to look back into the events and happenings and to hear about the women who helped grow, shape and mold Brown into the strong, bold, boisterous and fearless woman she is today. One of those people is American abolitionist and civil rights activist Sojourner Truth. “I believe I am a reincarnatio

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GODFREY – After almost an hour of debate, the Godfrey Village Board approved the rezoning of a property on West Delmar to allow the Peachy Paws dog daycare and grooming salon to expand into a new location. The ordinance on Tuesday night’s agenda called for changing the zoning classification for 1610 W. Delmar Ave. from R-3 Single Family Residential to B-4 Highway Business. Opposing the plan were a group of local neighbors, including three women from a nearby condo association, who expressed concerns about feces being left around the area and noise from dogs barking throughout the day and night. Trustees and members of the public made impassioned arguments for and against the rezoning during one of the lengthiest and most crowded Village Board meetings in recent history. As multiple neighbors pointed out, the property in question has fallen into a state of disrepair over the past 10 years. Peachy Paws Owner Amber Dyer, who plans to invest about $500,000 into renovating

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ALTON - Riverbend Christian Leadership Academy (RCLA), previously Mississippi Valley Christian School, will host a Monopoly-themed trivia night fundraiser to update their facilities. Located at 2009 Seminary St reet in Alton, the school serves children from pre-k through 12th grade. On Friday, March 28, 2025, community members are invited to come out and enjoy an evening of trivia and raffle prizes, with all proceeds going toward RCLA. “We’re trying to build that culture that people want to be involved in,” said Administrator Tim Lee. “The mission is worth it. If you’re not doing anything of lasting value, how is anybody going to get excited about it? The fact that we have almost 150 years of education on that property is amazing from a historical standpoint. We want to continue it for another 150 years.” Tickets to the trivia night cost $30 and include a meal, trivia and mulligans. Raffle tickets cost $1 each and items include baseballs

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JERSEY COUNTY — A power outage affecting approximately 885 customers occurred on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, due to high winds that toppled a tree into a substation, according to Ameren Illinois Spokesperson Brian Bretsch. The outage impacted several communities, including Elsah, Dow, Grafton, Brussels, Godfrey, and Golden Eagle. The incident occurred at 12:25 p.m., prompting immediate action from Ameren crews. Bretsch noted that while there were multiple wind-related outages throughout the service territory, none were classified as large-scale. "We've had several wind-related outages today in different parts of our service territory," he said. "We have not experienced any large-scale outages, but some outages in the 1,000 to 2,000 range." Bretsch added that following the tree's impact on the substation, crews began conducting tests on the transformers within the substation to assess any potential damage before restoring power. "Customers will be without power during this testing,"

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EDWARDSVILLE - Betty Sue Emert, a dedicated volunteer and initial board member of Faith in Action Edwardsville/Glen Carbon (FIAEGC), passed away on March 1, 2025, at the age of 86. Emert was instrumental in the organization since its inception, contributing her time and expertise to support community members in need. Emert's involvement with FIAEGC began at its founding, where she not only served as a volunteer driver but also shared valuable insights into the organization’s early days, including the folding of wheelchairs. Her role extended beyond driving, as she often responded to inquiries and took on additional tasks to support the organization’s mission. In her recent capacity on the advisory committee, Emert ensured that Frances Gregg, the founder of FIAEGC, had transportation to key events, including the annual volunteer appreciation event and the end-of-year meeting. Last summer, she participated in a video that highlighted FIAEGC's services, demonstrating her commitment

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Angela L. Cooper, a 47-year-old former office manager from Collinsville, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for embezzling more than $158,000 and committing identity theft while employed by AMK Heating and Cooling in Edwardsville. The sentencing followed Cooper's guilty plea to multiple charges, including wire fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and tax fraud. The U.S. District Judge also ordered Cooper to pay $168,536.12 in restitution and to serve three years of supervised release after her prison term. The case was highlighted by U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft, who emphasized the severe impact of identity theft on victims. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office aggressively prosecutes identity theft because the crime causes so much harm,” Weinhoeft said. “Its victims suffer not only drained bank accounts, but they also endure sleepless nights, and it can sometimes take years to undo the damage.” Court documents

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ST. LOUIS - The Saint Louis Zoo announced a significant change in its polar bear exhibit this week, bidding farewell to resident polar bear Kali and welcoming a pair of twin polar bear brothers from the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. The transition took place as part of a breeding exchange designed to enhance genetic diversity among the species. Kali, a 12-year-old polar bear, has been a popular figure at the Saint Louis Zoo since his arrival in 2015. He has been described as gregarious, curious, and intelligent. Kali has now relocated to Toledo, where he will be paired with a female polar bear named Crystal. This move marks Kali's first opportunity to mate, taking advantage of the limited seasonal window for polar bear breeding. “Kali is a special bear beloved by so many people here in St. Louis,” said Julie Hartell-DeNardo, the Zoo’s Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores. “While we’ll miss him greatly, this important opportunity allows Kali to contribute t

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ELSAH - Principia College’s mediation team recently won big at the Fourth Annual International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR) Conciliator Tournament. John Williams, J.D., is a professor at Principia, the previous Principia College president, and the current mediation team coach. He recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about the art of mediation and the students’ success at the INADR tournament. “Mediation is an alternative to litigation and going to court,” Williams explained. “Why not find a way of resolving your conflicts where you bring the pressure down? Bring in a mediator who’s a nonpartisan sort of person with the skill to build trust and work with the two sides to find something mutual.” Williams noted that there are a lot of reasons why a person or company might want to avoid going to court. Mediation offers an alternative way to resolve disputes. In a mock case, like

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EDWARDSVILLE – St. Patrick’s Day will be here before we know it, bringing with it parades, parties, green beer and more to communities throughout the state. To remind motorists of the dangers of impaired driving and to help keep our streets safe, the Edwardsville Police Department is teaming up with the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation for a stepped-up traffic safety campaign. “With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Monday this year, we expect increased celebrations throughout the weekend prior,” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. “We urge everyone to celebrate responsibly. Please plan ahead for a sober ride home before you leave the house — your safety and the safety of others depend on it.” In addition to looking for alcohol- and cannabis-impaired drivers, the Edwardsville Police will be stepping up seat belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat belt usage rates are lowest. Speeding, distracted driving and

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EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE Lovejoy Library will host a special Lunar New Year event. At 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to Lovejoy Library to celebrate the Year of the Snake. The event will include a lecture on the history of the holiday, a kung fu demonstration, an origami station and the lion dance. “It’s very important,” said Simone Williams, Diversity and Engagement Librarian at SIUE. “This is also to celebrate our Asian students, faculty and staff and anybody in the community. It’s just so they can see themselves represented on campus and in the community.” Attendees are encouraged to stop by the Information Desk on the first floor of the library to pick up a red envelope, which traditionally represents good fortune. There will also be a book display with several books that cover Asian history and culture. Williams noted that this is the first year that Lovejoy Library has hosted

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O’FALLON — The 42nd Annual Hoyleton Honors celebration took place last Friday evening, Feb. 28, 2025, at the Regency Conference Center in O'Fallon, IL., showcasing the work of Hoyleton Youth and Family Services under the theme "Be the Light." The event highlighted the organization’s commitment to assisting clients and families in navigating challenging circumstances toward brighter futures. The evening featured a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, live auction, and a paddle raise, all aimed at supporting Hoyleton's programs and services. The event concluded with music and dancing, providing a festive atmosphere for attendees. Hoyleton’s annual fundraising celebration serves as an opportunity to recognize individuals and partner organizations that have significantly contributed to the mission over the past year. Among this year’s honorees was St. Paul UCC Church in Floraville, which received the Mission Companion title for its contributions toward securin

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ALTON - The Alton Band and Orchestra Builders (ABOB) will host their annual virtual auction later this month. The Music Matters Virtual Auction begins on March 27 and ends on March 29, 2025. All proceeds will go back to ABOB to support local students in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 music program. The organization noted that they are still looking for donations and sponsors ahead of the auction. “ABOB, with the support of its generous donors, ensures that all kids in the Alton School District, regardless of financial resources, are able to experience the joy of playing an instrument,” said Jodi Baum, chairperson for the auction. “It’s incredible to see just how many kids come through the music program in the Alton district every year.” The auction will utilize the Zeffy Fundraising Platform, and 100% of proceeds will go back to ABOB. In addition to countless baskets and services that are up for auction, a few lucky winners will also

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ALTON - Rebecca “Becky” Cowart cares about the future, so she acts today. Cowart, one of the YWCA’s ten 2025 Women of Distinction, will be honored at the Y’s annual gala for her commitment to the community. Cowart is involved in several local organizations, from the YWCA to the NAACP, and she shared that her mission to get involved started with her own children, ages 9, 8 and 1. “My children are the most important children in the world to me,” she said. “Essentially because of them, I’ve made choices because I want them to experience community and I want them to experience a diverse community so that they can see the importance of making space, celebrating, respecting and learning from diversity.” Cowart homeschools her children and makes sure they are involved in the community through initiatives like Diverse Story, a YWCA program that offers storytimes with diverse characters and books that kids can take home. She also

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government about President Trump’s proposal to dissolve the USPS’s bipartisan Board of Governors and place the agency under the Department of Commerce, with further threats to privatize the organization. She also discussed the impact of the proposed consolidation of Processing and Distribution Centers – like the ones in Springfield and Champaign, Illinois – and outgoing Postmaster General DeJoy’s Local Transportation Optimization (LTO) plan. If implemented, the LTO plan would reduce the frequency of mail pickups from local post offices that are more than 50 miles away from a Regional Processing and Distribution Center, leading to delayed outgoing mail from rural communities. WATCH HERE: Budzinski Testifies on Danger of USPS Privatization Budzinski’s testimony as submitted

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ALTON - RE/MAX River Bend Inc. is set to undergo significant leadership changes as Keith Jackson steps into the role of Managing Broker on Jan. 4, 2025, succeeding Sharon Pratt, who will maintain her position as Co-Owner and realtor. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the agency, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in May 2025. The business is located at 2735 Homer Adams Parkway, Suite B, Alton. Keith Jackson, who became a licensed Managing Broker in 2024, brings over 15 years of experience in multifamily housing before transitioning to residential sales in 2022. He expressed his commitment to upholding the values imparted to him by Pratt and retired broker Terry McKinzie. “I want our agents to be prepared, trained, and to be honest when they hit the ground running, providing all clients with a smooth transaction,” Jackson stated. He emphasized the importance of keeping agents informed in the dynamic real estate market. In addition to his new role, Jackson

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ST. LOUIS – Diarra Williams, 30, and Nicholas Warford, 31, both from Edwardsville, Illinois, were indicted on Feb. 26, 2025, for their alleged involvement in a scheme that defrauded more than $7 million from school meal programs intended for low-income children in Missouri. The couple, who operated a local non-profit organization, were arrested on March 4, 2025, following the indictment, which charges them with multiple counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering. The indictment details a fraudulent operation that reportedly lasted from March 2020 through July 2022, during which Williams and Warford allegedly misrepresented their service of over 2.2 million meals through Missouri’s At-Risk Afterschool Program and Summer Food Service Program, both funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the indictment, Williams claimed that her non-profit, The Bailey Foundation, served large quantities of meals while in reality, Warford's

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GLEN CARBON/EDWARDSVILLE — High winds led to power line malfunctions in Glen Carbon and Edwardsville on Wednesday morning, March 5, 2025, leaving approximately 1,800 customers without electricity for a short period. The incident occurred at around 9:55 a.m. Wednesday when winds caused a power line to malfunction in Glen Carbon, affecting 1,600 customers in that area and 200 in Edwardsville, according to Brian Bretsch, a spokesperson for Ameren Illinois. "Crews quickly spotted the issue and safely secured the area," Bretsch said. He noted that while the crew faced strong winds, they were able to successfully repair the power line. Power was restored to all affected customers by 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, just 25 minutes after the initial outage began.

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