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DECATUR – The Illinois State Police (ISP), partnering with the Decatur Police Department, the McLean County Sheriff’s Office, and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, has created the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group (ITEG) to take its work in combating human trafficking to the next level. Similar to the nine ISP Metropolitan Enforcement Groups and 13 Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Forces created to combat drug trafficking, ITEG will consist of local and state partners focused on fighting human trafficking, while also working with community groups and health organizations to provide trauma-informed support services to individuals who have been trafficked. “Human trafficking occurs not just globally, but locally, and it is critical law enforcement at all levels work together,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group enables state and local law enforcement to literally work side by side, while coordinating with ou

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GLEN CARBON - Kannon Kamp was a standout player for McGivney High School’s baseball team during the recent season, according to head coach Chris Erwin. Kamp, who wore No. 20, was a key contributor both at the plate and on the mound, helping lead the team to one of the highest-scoring seasons in the country. Erwin described Kamp as the team’s “No. 1 pitcher” and a “mainstay at the top of the order” as a lead-off hitter. Kamp finished the season with a .410 batting average, collected 50 hits, including 12 doubles, and drove in 37 runs while drawing 38 walks. His offensive production was part of a larger team effort that scored 437 runs, tying for third most in the country. Kamp and Justin Terhaar were McGivney IHSBCA All-State selections. Kamp is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. On the pitching side, Kamp was a workhorse for the team, starting the state championship game and compiling an 8-1 record with

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CARROLLTON - Greene County Deputy Sheriff Chris Weller is pleased to declare his candidacy for Greene County Sheriff in the 2026 general election following the retirement of Robert McMillen in August, 2026. With over 25 years of experience in law enforcement, Weller has built a substantial resume that illustrates his commitment to his community. He began his career as a correctional officer at the Greene County Jail in 2000, where he worked until graduating from the Police Academy in 2002. While working as a temporary full-time deputy, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois College in 2004. During those years, Weller served as a police officer in Greenfield, Carrollton, White Hall, and Roodhouse. In 2006, he began his full-time career with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Weller takes great pride in having served his home county for the entirety of his career, accumulating experience in all the major municipalities. A lifetime resident of Greene County

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today convened health care leaders to discuss how Trump and Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill will harm Central Illinois and rip health care from as well as increase costs for Illinoisans. Duckworth and Durbin met with leaders from Memorial Health, Springfield Clinic, Hospital Sisters Health System and SIU Medicine to discuss the looming crisis of more than half a million Illinoisans losing health coverage and loss in funding for rural health providers. Photos from today’s event are available on the Senator’s website. “Access to quality health care is already too difficult in this country—especially in rural areas—and thanks to Republicans’ Big Beautiful Betrayal things are only going to get worse,” Duckworth said. “Trump and Republicans succeeded in making the largest cuts to Medicaid in history and because of them,

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SPRINGFIELD - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined state legislators and stakeholders to sign SB 1953, also known as Sonya Massey’s Bill. The law will revise police hiring procedures across Illinois, requiring agencies to comprehensively review an applicant’s employment history—including detailed employment records—before making a job offer. The legislation aims to increase policy accountability across the state and prevent future tragedies such as the killing of Sonya Massey . “When Sonya Massey feared for her safety, she did what anyone would do—she called law enforcement for help. Communities should be able to trust that when they call the police to their home, the responding officer will be well-trained and without a history of bias or misconduct,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I sign Sonya Massey’s Bill to help prevent these tragedies, to better equip law enforcement to keep our communities safe, and to continue working

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Did you know that water play not only entertains children but also significantly boosts their cognitive development and motor skills? Studies have shown that interactive water activities can enhance sensory experiences, improve hand-eye coordination, and foster creativity. Designing a DIY outdoor water play area offers a fantastic opportunity to blend fun with learning, all within the comfort of your own backyard. Understanding the Benefits of Water Play Water play is more than just splashing around. It encourages problem-solving as children experiment with pouring, measuring, and transferring water between containers. It also introduces basic scientific concepts such as volume, flow, and buoyancy in a hands-on environment. Moreover, water play encourages social interaction and cooperative play, which are vital for emotional and social development. Planning Your Water Play Area: Space and Safety Before gathering materials, assess the available outdoor space. The area should be flat

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August 14 marks a day rich with moments that have shaped history across the globe. On August 14, 1948, the Berlin Airlift was in full swing as Allied forces continued their extraordinary effort to supply West Berlin by air amid the Soviet blockade. After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. The city of Berlin, deep inside Soviet-controlled territory, was similarly divided. In June 1948, the Soviets blocked all ground access to West Berlin, hoping to force the Allies out of the city. Faced with the prospect of abandoning West Berlin’s 2 million residents to Soviet control, the United States and its allies launched the Berlin Airlift—an unprecedented operation that involved flying thousands of tons of food, fuel, and supplies daily into the city. By August, the operation had reached a remarkable pace, with planes landing every few minutes. This massive logistical feat

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Today's Weather: High 87, low 68. Mostly sunny with some clouds today. It's humid with a gentle east wind around 5 mph. The feels like temperature could get close to 98 degrees at the warmest point this afternoon, so dress comfortably and stay hydrated. Allergy index shows moderate ragweed pollen levels, so allergy sufferers should be prepared. Mold, grass, and tree pollen are all low, and air quality is good. Tomorrow's outlook: High near 93, low 70. Expect mostly sunny skies with hot and humid conditions under a mostly clear sky at night. The heat will pick up, so take it easy if you plan to be outdoors. The UV index will be very high, so don't forget sunscreen. For the latest updates, visit https://riverbender.com/weather .

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SWANSEA, Ill. — On August 9, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Swansea Police responded to a business in the 4500 block of North Illinois Street following a report of a subject removal related to a domestic disturbance. Officers discovered that the incident involved two family members and that the suspect, identified as Napoleon Mond, had brandished a firearm during the altercation. Witnesses reported that Mond shoved the firearm into the victim’s face, causing the victim to fall to the ground, and then pointed the weapon at the victim’s face as he left the scene. Mond fled before police arrived. A search warrant was obtained for Mond’s residence, and on August 12, 2025, Swansea officers and detectives, with assistance from the St. Clair County Drug Tactical Unit, executed the warrant. Mond was found inside the home and taken into custody without incident. Multiple firearms were recovered during the search. The Swansea Investigations Unit submitted the

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MADISON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES — A severe storm that swept through Madison and St. Clair counties on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 12, 2025, left nearly 10,800 Ameren Illinois customers without power, with outages peaking around 3:30 p.m. in communities including East Alton, Wood River, Granite City, and a portion of St. Clair County. Ameren Illinois crews worked feverishly from the very start and by 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, had rerouted power to nearly all affected customers in St. Clair County, reducing outages there from 2,868 to just 26. The utility was able to isolate the problem and control the affected lines, allowing many residents to regain electricity within a few hours. The storm, characterized by intense lightning and thunder, began impacting the area around 2 p.m. Tuesday, initially causing outages in Wood River and East Alton. East Alton experienced the most significant impact, with roughly 4,000 out along Old St. Louis Road. Wood River and nearby areas reported outages

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction finding that Illinois and a coalition of states were likely to succeed on their claim that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) decision to provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with unfettered access to individual personally-identifying information violates the Administrative Procedure Act’s prohibition on arbitrary and capricious rulemaking. DHS houses Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The preliminary injunction blocks DHS from using the plaintiff states’ Medicaid data for immigration enforcement purposes. It also blocks HHS from sharing that Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement purposes. The preliminary injunction will remain in place until 14 days after HHS and DHS complete a reasoned decision-making process that complies with

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will host the 7th annual United We Lead Gala on Friday, September 12, 2025 at The Leclaire Room in Edwardsville, IL. The United We Lead Gala, themed “Building a Sweeter Future” in 2025, is the premier fundraising event for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois that brings together a wide range of people who share the same desire – to be a difference in girls’ lives. “We are thrilled to once again host the United We Lead Gala on September 12,” said Heidi Koehl Weaver, Director of Development for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “Our mission aims to ensure that all girls – regardless of any socioeconomic barriers – have the opportunity to discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. It’s how they become leaders - but they need our support. This is why they need Girl Scouts.” We are honored to celebrate Agency for Community Transit (ACT) with the Distinguished

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) welcomed House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to the Springfield Urban League to highlight growing concerns about federal budget cuts and eligibility requirements that would threaten access to essential social service programs, such as Head Start and SNAP. The members met with local families and educators to hear firsthand how these cuts could jeopardize the greater community. “Today, Leader Jeffries had the chance to visit Springfield and meet with the resilient, hardworking people who make this community so special. We heard directly from families in Springfield who depend on programs like Head Start and SNAP – programs that are essential investments in our children’s future. But right now, those programs are under serious threat,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “The President’s inadequate funding request for Head Start, combined with harmful

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SPRINGFIELD - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined state legislators and stakeholders to sign SB 1953, also known as Sonya Massey’s Bill. The law will revise police hiring procedures across Illinois, requiring agencies to comprehensively review an applicant’s employment history—including detailed employment records—before making a job offer. The legislation aims to increase policy accountability across the state and prevent future tragedies such as the killing of Sonya Massey . “When Sonya Massey feared for her safety, she did what anyone would do — she called law enforcement for help. Communities should be able to trust that when they call the police to their home, the responding officer will be well-trained and without a history of bias or misconduct,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I sign Sonya Massey’s Bill to help prevent these tragedies, to better equip law enforcement to keep our communities safe, and to continue working

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ALTON – Three individuals from around the Riverbend and beyond face felony charges of burglary in separate but similar cases filed throughout Madison County. Christopher C. McBride, 49, of Alton, was charged on Aug. 7, 2025 with a Class 3 felony count of attempted burglary. On July 29, 2025, McBride allegedly threw a brick at the glass door of the Circle gas station at 911 College Ave. in Alton with the intention of entering the premises unlawfully and committing a theft, according to charging documents. The Alton Police Department presented the case against McBride, who was granted pretrial release from custody. In a separate case also filed Aug. 7, 2025, 58-year-old Randal L. Mamino of South Roxana was charged with four counts of burglary, each Class 2 felonies, stemming from a string of alleged burglaries that took place from July 27 to Aug. 5, 2025. On July 27, Mamino reportedly unlawfully entered an individual’s shed with the intent to commit a theft. On Aug. 4

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BETHALTO - Roma’s Pizza will be hosting the 2nd annual “Dine to Donate” fundraiser benefitting Madison County Catholic Charities on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Mention Madison County Catholic Charities or show the flyer at checkout and we earn 10% of sales. Roma’s Pizza is located at 121 E Bethalto Dr in Bethalto, IL. “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our community for over 70 years now. Support a great cause and join us at Roma’s for some of the best pizza in the Midwest,” said Area Director Denise Burton. Proceeds from the Dine to Donate event will go towards supporting our programs, including Professional Counseling Solutions, MedAssist, Guardian Angel Food Pantry, Mobile Food Pantry, Homeless Prevention, Transportation and Identification assistance, and Legal Services. Since 1941, Catholic Charities has provided services in Madison, Bond, Jersey, and Calhoun counties, with offices in Alto

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O'FALLON - O'Fallon Community Consolidated School District #90 is nearing completion of playground renovation projects across its elementary schools, with updated play areas expected to be ready for student use at the start of the 2025 school year. The district announced the progress on Aug. 11, 2025, noting that while frequent rain and unforeseen site work caused some delays, construction crews have been working diligently to complete the improvements. At Evans Elementary, the playground will be ready for use on the first day of school. Sod installation around the upper playground is scheduled for Saturday, with fencing and final cleanup, including asphalt sweeping, to follow. Hinchcliffe Elementary’s playground is also on track to open with the new school year, with final cleanup efforts focused on asphalt sweeping. Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary will have its playground ready as well, with asphalt work on the walking path expected to be finished soon and a four-foot fence

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CHICAGO — If you played Lucky Day Lotto yesterday, you might want to check your ticket – that’s because you could be $400,000 richer! One lucky player matched all five numbers in the Tuesday, August 12 evening drawing to win the game’s $400,000 jackpot. The winning numbers were: 3-4-6-8-41. The winning ticket was purchased at Walker Liquor , located at 12255 Walker Rd. in Lemont, a southwest suburb of Chicago. For selling the winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket, the store will receive a bonus of 1% of the prize amount, or $4,000. In total, nearly 19,000 winning tickets were sold in the Tuesday evening Lucky Day Lotto drawing. Winners have one year from the draw date to claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages all lucky winners to sign the back of their ticket and store it in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prize. Lucky Day Lotto is an Illinois-only draw game with two daily drawings at 12:40 p.m. and 9:22 p.m., and jackpots starting

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FAIRMONT CITY – In August, Revity Credit Union employees came together to raise $1,405.00 for The Latino Roundtable through the Revity Threads of Kindness Program. This program, funded by employees, allows Revity Credit Union staff to embody the credit union's philosophy of people helping people. By contributing a monthly monetary donation to a local organization, employees can enjoy wearing jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays throughout that month. In 2025, Revity Credit Union is committed to impactful giving and community support, weaving kindness into the fabric of our daily lives and ensuring that every “jeans day” makes a difference. The Latino Roundtable was nominated as the recipient of our August Threads of Kindness donation, receiving $1,405.00 that will support their efforts to serve the Latino communities across several Illinois counties, including Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington. The Latino Roundtable,

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GLEN CARBON - The Village of Glen Carbon is excited to announce the first-ever “ Chalk This Way” Chalk Walk, set to transform Schon Park into a vibrant outdoor art gallery. This community event will take place on Sat. Sept. 20 from 10 am – 2 pm offering residents and visitors an opportunity to celebrate creativity, enjoy music, and savor delicious food. Artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to bring their imaginations to life on the park’s sidewalks, creating original, family-friendly chalk art. Categories will be based on school levels, with prizes awarded to top works in each group. All artwork subjects must be pre-approved to ensure the event remains appropriate for all audiences. “Chalk This Way” will also feature food trucks, craft vendors, and a DJ, making it a perfect day for families and friends to gather. “We’re thrilled to host an event that blends creativity, community, and fun in one of Glen Carbon’s

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