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BELLEVILLE — Students and volunteers from Belleville East High School's First Priority group participated in a Mobile Packing Event recently, where they packed more than 91,000 meals for those in need. The event, held at a local venue, aimed to support Feed My Starving Children, an organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals to children worldwide. Volunteers worked together to assemble meal packets, contributing to a larger effort to combat hunger both locally and globally. The initiative is part of Belleville East First Priority's commitment to community service and helping those in need. The substantial number of meals packed highlights the dedication of the students and volunteers who took part in the event. As a Christian nonprofit organization, Feed My Starving Children is called to feed children who are hungry in body and spirit. FMSC volunteers come from all walks of life from family, co-workers, students and strangers to help feed starving children.

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GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey and Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project are working with youth volunteers to help plant trees at two Parks in Godfrey at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024. The Tree Planting is made possible thanks to a Recover, Replant, Restore! grant from Trees Forever . “Planting native trees adds diversity to Godfrey’s tree canopy and will provide food and shelter for wildlife in our Parks,” says Chris Logan, Director of Godfrey Parks . “Trees provide critical shade amidst an ever-warming climate, improve air quality, and are essential to our ecosystems. We’re grateful to Trees Forever for providing funding to plant more trees in Godfrey, and look forward to working with volunteers on October 18 to add more trees to our landscape that will benefit our community for years to come.” The Recover, Replant, Restore! grant is funded through a partnership between Trees Forever, the Illinois Department of Natural

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WOOD RIVER - The annual Downtown Trick or Treat event is set to return to Wood River from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Local businesses will welcome children from the area to walk along Ferguson Avenue and collect treats at participating locations. Kristen Burns, Executive Director of the Wood River Business Alliance, noted the community spirit surrounding the event. "Everyone has a lot of fun at this event, and we get great participation from businesses as well as the community. We start stocking up on candy pretty early," she said. The event sees participation from local businesses, churches, and emergency services, contributing to a festive atmosphere. Mayor Tom Stalcup emphasized the safety and community engagement aspects of the event. Stalcup said: "The downtown trick or treat is a great safe experience for the community. I invite everyone to come out and participate and say hello to the downtown businesses." Stalcup also highlighted the growth of downtown Wood

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ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Department of Transporation announced on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, that the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge (I-70) is set to reopen to downtown St. Louis today after being closed for two days due to a fire at an abandoned building adjacent to the bridge. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced the reopening in coordination with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) and the city of St. Louis, stating that the process will begin soon and be completed by the Wednesday evening rush hour. The Stan Musial Bridge was closed Monday evening, Oct. 14, 2024, after a significant fire broke out at a storage building in the 1800 block of North Broadway in St. Louis, directly next to the bridge. More than 40 firefighters responded to the scene, where the blaze was classified as a second-alarm fire. A battalion chief on site described the situation as a “nightmare,” emphasizing the risks posed by the fire's proximity t

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Gori Law Firm, nationally recognized for representing victims of asbestos exposure, is excited to welcome several new attorneys to its team. Joining the firm’s Edwardsville office are attorneys Elizabeth Skym, Jack Woelfel, Andres Montero, Alex Enyart, Michael Cook and Teona Drake-Robinson. “With offices throughout the country, our goal is to continue to grow so that we can continue to best serve our clients and advocate for them and their families,” said Sara Salger, managing partner of the firm. “All of our new attorneys bring a distinct set of skills and experience from their backgrounds, and we’re happy to have them as part of the Gori Law family.” About Elizabeth Skym Skym received her juris doctorate in 2016 from Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. Before joining The Gori Law Firm, she represented Social Security claimants seeking disability benefits. Skym now represents clients and

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is stepping up to support students from Fontbonne University as they navigate the transition following the announcement of Fontbonne’s closure after the summer 2025 term. SIUE is waiving the $40 application fee and offering a 50% tuition discount for up to six semesters for former Fontbonne students in good academic standing, starting in the Fall 2024 semester. James Monahan, Director of Graduate and International Admissions, discussed SIUE’s efforts to support Fontbonne transfer students, stating, "When we learned that Fontbonne was closing, we knew many students were progressing in their education but could not complete their degrees there. We aimed to streamline the admission process, waving application fees to expedite their transition. Our collaboration with the academic departments ensured that these students had a clear pathway to finish their degrees at SIUE." He emphasized the importance of accessibility,

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ALTON - Alton Superintendent Elaine Kane explained the district’s goal to promote teaching and learning. During the regular Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education meeting on Oct. 15, 2024, Kane broke down the District Improvement Plan. This plan includes three goals: to create a culture of belonging , to develop professional learning communities , and to focus on teaching and learning. Kane explained that teachers and administrators are having conversations about how best to teach students so that they are prepared for assessments. Across the country, all students are tested on the same skills and knowledge. Alton School District wants to make sure its students are prepared for these assessments and know what they are supposed to know. “We know what kids are supposed to learn because the standards are universal,” Kane said. “A third grader in Alton should have access to the same outcomes as a third grader anywhere in the Unite

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Monday, October 7, 2024, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced the issuance of summonses for four individuals involved in a protest that escalated into a confrontation with law enforcement on July 24, 2024. The suspects, identified as Malak Hamed, 18, of Ballwin, Mo., Claire Howell, 20, of Belleville, Jad Aqrabawi, 20, of St. Charles, Mo., and Luke Adams, 22, of Festus, Mo., face multiple charges, including Assault Fourth Degree, Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, Peace Disturbance, and Refusal to Disperse. The incident occurred around 5:03 p.m. on July 24, 2024, when a group of protesters gathered in the 14000 block of Manchester Road in west St. Louis County. According to the probable cause statements, the protesters walked in the roadway during peak traffic hours, prompting Officer #1 of the St. Louis County Police Department to use a megaphone to order the group to disperse. This directive was repeated approximately eight times,

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EDWARDSVILLE - William C. Hargrave, a former Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, served his country during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970. Hailing from Edwardsville, Hargrave's military service has been recognized by his family, with his daughter, Elizabeth Hargrave, submitting a tribute through the 'Veteran Salute' program. Elizabeth highlighted his commitment and bravery during a tumultuous period in American history in Vietnam. William's service is commemorated by those who know him. The 'Veteran Salute' initiative aims to honor veterans by sharing their stories and sacrifices. Click here if you have a Veterans Salute.

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ALTON - Local schools gathered at the National Great Rivers Museum to learn more about career opportunities in the maritime industry. “We Work the Waterways” is a national education outreach program through the trade association Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, Inc. (IRPT) . On Oct. 16, 2024, the program offered a hands-on Industry Interaction Day for 200 local students in Alton. “We have members of the maritime community, organizations and companies, here to engage with students and educate them about career opportunities in the maritime shipping and logistics industry,” explained Errin Howard, director of “We Work the Waterways.” “Our company exhibitors are making connections with each other, but they’re also making connections with students and the educators who are here. It’s all about the connections that are being made today.” The National Great Rivers Museum welcomed students from Southwestern High School

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GODFREY - A section of Pearl Street in Godfrey is set to get $80,000 in pedestrian-friendly upgrades following unanimous Village Board approval on Tuesday. The scope of the project is to “construct pedestrian gates and a sidewalk at the railroad crossing on Pearl Street,” according to the resolution. The Village has agreed to appropriate $80,000 from its General Fund to cover the cost of the work. According to a Joint Funding Agreement between the village and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the area includes railroad terminals for the Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern Railroads. Both the pedestrian gates and sidewalk are estimated to be completed within the next five years under the terms of the IDOT agreement. Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the joint funding agreement with no further discussion. A full recording of the Oct. 15, 2024 Godfrey Village Board meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/vide

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EDWARDSVILLE - Dr. Robert W. Werden is excited to introduce the newest member of the Regional Office of Education’s staff, Dr. Stacie Hoover. She will serve in the role of Instructional Coach for schools in the Madison County Region. Dr. Hoover is a veteran educator with a rich background in teaching, curriculum design, educational administration, and program development. With a Doctorate in Curriculum Design and Instruction from McKendree University, she has dedicated her career to enhancing educational experiences and outcomes for students. She has taught everything from elementary school to college level courses in which she demonstrated effective teaching strategies for traditional and non-traditional students. Cumulatively, these experiences have given her insight on relationship building and working collaboratively on common goals for students. She is a skilled grant writer, that has successfully secured funding for multiple initiatives, underscoring their commitment t

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ALTON - The City of Alton has renewed its municipal electricity aggregation program with Homefield Energy, aiming to shield residents from fluctuating electricity supply rates. The new agreement, which will take effect in December 2024, will provide a fixed rate of $0.09054 per kilowatt hour (kWh), representing a significant decrease from the current rate of $0.1220 charged by Constellation. This decision was announced in light of ongoing volatility in the energy market. The new rate, effective through the May 2025 meter read date, is expected to yield monthly savings of over $25 for an average account using 800 kWh. Additionally, the program will transition from the higher summer delivery rates to lower non-summer rates, further enhancing savings for participants. Alton officials, along with their consultant Good Energy, opted for a shorter contract duration due to the unpredictable nature of the energy market. Since the aggregation program's inception in 2013, participants have experienced

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ALTON - During their regular meeting on Oct. 15, 2024, the Alton Community Unit School District Board of Education recognized the West Elementary Optimist Student of the Month for October. Julius Ezeagu is a fifth grader at West Elementary who plays clarinet, violin and tennis. West Elementary Principal TaRael Kee introduced Ezeagu as someone “who exemplifies all the qualities we value in our students.” “He balances his commitments with a cheerful, positive attitude,” Kee said. “His mother describes him as the go-to guy in the family, always responsible and helpful. In addition to his academics and extracurricular activities, Julius is also committed to giving back to the community.” Ezeagu helps clean up after P.E. every day. He also was nominated to join West Elementary’s Gentleman’s Group. His teacher, Alexandra Stilwell, described Ezeagu as “an all-around great scholar, hard worker, and someone who’s always willin

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On October 16, 2024, we take a moment to reflect on the significant events that have shaped our world throughout history. One of the most impactful events in history occurred on October 16, 1859. John Brown, a fervent abolitionist, led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. His aim was to incite an uprising and establish a stronghold for freed enslaved people. Although the raid ultimately failed and Brown was captured, this event escalated tensions between the North and South in the United States, setting the stage for the Civil War. Brown's actions and his subsequent execution became symbols of the struggle against slavery and fueled the abolitionist movement. Fast forward to October 16, 1923, a date that marked the official founding of The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney and his brother Roy started what would become a global entertainment empire with the creation of the Disney Brothers Studio. The company began with a series of short films featuring the character

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GODFREY - In a rare move on Tuesday, Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick had to cast a tie-breaking vote after trustees debated the selection of St. Louis firm PGAV to develop the village’s comprehensive plan. The village’s Economic Development Committee had been considering two firms for an updated comprehensive plan: PGAV or Moran Economic Development. Trustee Sarah Woodman said after both organizations gave presentations, the committee voted to choose Moran - but when they forwarded that recommendation to the Village Board, “everything changed." By this week’s meeting, two camps had seemingly emerged among the trustees: those who wished to uphold the committee’s recommendation of Moran, and those who were more impressed by the presentation from PGAV. “I just thought there was a night and day difference,” Lombardi said of both company’s presentations. “I’m not saying are not capable of doing this, but as far as presentation

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WEST ALTON - The Audubon Center at Riverlands will combine choreography, textile and sculpture work in a new exhibit titled “Identity Migration.” Carmen Alana Tibbets is this year’s artist-in-residence at the Audubon Center, and she has created several cloth sculptures of migratory birds. Erin Lane, a dance professor at Principia College, then worked with her students to develop choreography corresponding to each sculpture. The resulting exhibit will be open to the public from 5–7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at the Audubon Center in West Alton, Missouri. “We’ve been incorporating art into our mission since the center opened in 2011,” explained Ken Buchholz, director of the Audubon Center. “How can we get people to think and be inspired, and not only that, but even generate their own thoughts and ideas? Hopefully it creates a sense of urgency to help protect what we know we’re losing quickly. When you love something,

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DOW - A man from Dow with a criminal past faces new charges after weapons and methamphetamine were found in his backpack following a series of other citations. Andrew W. Hoofard, 38, of Dow, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (a Super Class 3 felony) and unlawful possession of methamphetamine (a Class 3 felony). On Oct. 4, 2024, Hoofard allegedly had five knives with “blades longer than three inches” in his backpack after previously being charged with a felony. He was also found in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Hoofard was also cited in this case with unlawful use of an ATV on a public roadway, leaving the scene of an accident, and having no valid drivers’ license. Jersey County court records show Hoofard had previously been charged in July of 2024 with theft over $500, a Class 3 felony. He also pleaded guilty in a 2018 meth delivery case in which he was charged with a Class 2 felony. In this latest case,

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GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney High School hosted its annual Breast Cancer Awareness volleyball game on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, featuring a spirited match between Father McGivney Catholic and Staunton's girls' volleyball team. The event aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer, a cause that resonates deeply with many in the community. The McGivney players and many fans donned pink shirts, symbolizing their commitment to the cause and creating a vibrant atmosphere during the match. There were freshmen, junior varsity and varsity matches played during the night, so there were plenty of pink T-shirts on the floor throughout the exciting night. Father McGivney Catholic High Head Girls volleyball Coach Jake Williams expressed the significance of the event, noting that it holds personal meaning in his heart due to his mother’s battle with breast cancer. "It is very close to me in my eyes," Williams said. "I am proud of the effort of the girls and their coordinator for the event,

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O'FALLON - A petition has emerged calling for the reconsideration of an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) rule that led to the ban of a freshman O'Fallon student-athlete from his school's cross-country team. The petition, initiated by Madelyn Hindia on October 15, 2024, seeks to draw attention to what the family describes as an unfair IHSA decision affecting their son, Cole Deering. Cole was banned from participating in the team after he unknowingly ran in a 6K charity race to support his sister, an action that violated IHSA regulations prohibiting athletes from participating in outside events. Cole participated in a benefit for a medical center where his sister had been hospitalized with a case of pneumonia. Hindia said the family and Cole were unaware of the implications of the charity race, running outside his normal high school team meets. Hindia said the impact of the ban has been particularly difficult for Cole, who is autistic and has been focusing on his mental health.

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