Riverbender 🕸

GRAFTON - Raging Rivers will offer free admission to first responders this weekend. From Saturday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, first responders can enter the water park for free with a valid work ID or badge. EMTs, police officers, firefighters and hospital workers are invited to take advantage of this offer. “We want to give back to them,” said Jeremy Hayes, park manager at Raging Rivers. “They’ve given so much for us all the time, and we just recognize what they do for the community. It’s our way of giving a little bit back to them.” Located at 100 Palisades Parkway in Grafton, the water park is a local fixture for families across the Riverbend. From now until Sept. 8, Raging Rivers is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Hayes noted that Raging Rivers typically closes after Labor Day weekend, but they decided to remain open for an extra weekend this year due to the warmer weather. This

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BELLEVILLE – Frank Booker's contributions to his community and country have left an indelible mark, and he will be long remembered for his dedication and service. Booker, a retired member of the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department Merit Commission and a decorated veteran of the United States Army, has died at age 91. Booker, who served in the 101st Airborne Division, distinguished himself as the second-highest-ranking recruit out of 498. His exceptional service extended beyond the military, as he also owned Panorama Lanes in Belleville, which became a renowned event space for the region. Booker served on the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department Merit Commission for 37 years. A cherished memory captured in a photograph depicts a surprise dinner held in 2022, commemorating his retirement from the commission due to health concerns. The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department expressed their condolences to Booker's family, including his wife, children, and extended family,

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ALTON – The final suspect in the February 3, 2024, shooting that resulted in the death of 13-year-old Ra’niya Steward has been apprehended. Vito K. Crowder was taken into custody Thursday morning, Aug. 29, 2024, by Alton Police Detectives, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the St. Louis County Police Department. Crowder was charged by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office on Feb. 14, 2024, with two counts of First Degree Murder and Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapons. These charges automatically certify him to be tried in adult court. The Alton Police Department expressed gratitude to the USMS, Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the St. Louis County Police Department for their cooperation in the arrest. “The family of Ra’niya are in our continued thoughts and prayers as they await justice from this terrible incident,” the department stated.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Township is excited to announce the installation of a dual port, Level 2 Chargepoint charger to the recently renovated Edwardsville Township Town Hall and the Township Board approved a bid for the installation of solar panels. The 54 solar panels will generate the electricity needed for Township Hall and the EV charger will fill a need for downtown Edwardsville. In 2023, the St. Louis metro area was named the least EV-Friendly Metropolitan Area in the United States according to Route Fifty. “With Township Hall being a block from the heart of Edwardsville, we knew adding a charger would be a valuable addition to the community and for customers visiting Main Street while helping us with our green focus,” said Township Supervisor Kevin Hall. “The solar panels have been in the works for years as the next phase after completing the building.” To increase the number of charging options, the charging station also has an electric outlet

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ST. LOUIS - With mild fall temperatures ahead, St. Louis eagerly welcomes back the cherished tradition of the Missouri History Museum’s Twilight Thursdays concert series. Unveiling the eagerly anticipated lineup, the Museum sets the stage for the return of this beloved free outdoor concert series, beginning September 5, 2024. Twilight Thursdays has become a staple of the St. Louis cultural scene, featuring a diverse lineup of local musicians and bands along with some of St. Louis’ most popular food trucks, rotating throughout the event. From soulful R&B to funky anthems, each Thursday promises an unforgettable musical journey under the stars. According to Sam Moore, Managing Director of Public History at the Missouri Historical Society, "Twilight Thursdays have grown into a treasured tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate a core part of St. Louis's identity—our incredible music legacy. We take immense pride in showcasing what makes our city special,

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 hangup call in the 4300 block of Drda Lane, in unincorporated Edwardsville, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Deputies arrived on the scene uncertain if an emergency was present. Upon investigation, authorities determined that no emergency services were required. However, during the encounter, one of the individuals present was found to have an outstanding warrant for arrest. The individual was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Madison County Sheriff's Office. No further details were provided by the Sheriff's Office regarding the nature of the warrant or the identity of the person arrested.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that transformational improvements to Chicago-to-St. Louis passenger rail, including the introduction of higher speeds, won top honors among Midwest states in the 2024 America's Transportation Awards in the “Quality of Life/Community Development, Large Project” category. Delivered in 2023 by IDOT under the leadership of Gov. JB Pritzker, the multi-year project on the state’s most popular rail line established 110 mph speeds for the first time in Illinois, helping to better connect communities and major institutions while improving safety, convenience and accessibility. “We are proud to bring this award home to Illinois, but we’re even prouder of the work we’ve done to enhance quality of life for residents and visitors from one end of the state to the other,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Through projects like these, we are able to make

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - State Representative Kevin Schmidt donated his pay raise for the month of August to Cahokia Community Basket in the form of a food donation. Schmidt has donated every month’s pay raise to a different local food pantry or non-profit organization throughout his district since voting against the pay raise for legislators last year. “Our local food pantries need our help,” said Schmidt. “As promised, I donate back my personal pay raise each month to a local food pantry or community organization. I’m putting my money where my mouth is.” Cahokia Community Basket is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, with a group of volunteers providing food to as many people in need as possible in St. Clair County. They are a supplementary food source handing out food provided by the food bank, retail suppliers, and citizen donations. Food and household goods are a fundamental need for our communities. Whether you’re facing temporary hardship or ongoing

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ALTON/GODFREY - Resurrection Lutheran Church, ELCA in Godfrey has partnered with the Godfrey Fire Protection District, the Alton Fire Department, and Boy Scout Troop 7 to help address a public safety need in the communities of Godfrey and Alton. To provide access to life-saving home safety devices, volunteers will be installing 10-year carbon monoxide detectors in homes. On Sept. 8, 2024, volunteers will install new UL-listed carbon monoxide detectors in pre-approved homes. Homeowners may provide batteries for volunteers to replace in existing smoke alarms if time permits. To raise awareness about fire prevention, fire escape planning, home fire safety, and to ensure homeowners have properly functioning smoke alarms, referrals to the local fire department may be provided. To qualify, the applicant must be a homeowner living in Alton or Godfrey. Priority to seniors, persons with disabilities and homeowners who are low income. Qualified applicants will be notified by email or telephone

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August 29th has been a day marked by significant events that have shaped the course of history across the globe. 1966 - The Beatles' Last Commercial Concert On August 29, 1966, The Beatles performed their last commercial concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. This event marked the end of an era for the legendary band, who decided to focus on studio recordings henceforth. Their decision was influenced by the chaotic nature of live tours and the increasing difficulty of performing their complex studio compositions on stage. This final concert was a defining moment in music history, symbolizing the shift from live performances to the more intricate and controlled environment of the recording studio. 1949 - First Soviet Atomic Bomb Test On this day in 1949, the Soviet Union conducted its first successful atomic bomb test, code-named 'RDS-1' or 'First Lightning,' at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. This event was a significant milestone in the Cold

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ALTON - A section of Milton Road in Alton will be improved with a combination of over $1 million in federal and local funds after City Council members approved multiple items related to the project on Wednesday. Improvements will be made along a 0.32 mile stretch of Milton Road from Worden Avenue to Edgewood Avenue. The full scope of the project includes “pavement patching, pavement milling, hot-mix asphalt resurfacing, sidewalk curb, ramps and other miscellaneous items,” according to a related agenda item. $506,000 in federal funding will go towards construction and engineering costs, as will $183,000 from the city, totaling $689,000, according to a Joint Funding Agreement for Federally Funded Construction between the city and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). These funds will come from the Surface Transportation Program’s “Urban” designation (STU) , intended for municipalities with populations above 5,000. The City of Alton

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GODFREY – The Godfrey Fire Department responded to a crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle at the intersection of Godfrey Road and Stamper Lane on Wednesday night. Upon arrival, firefighters found one rider with severe injuries. Due to the extent of the injuries, a medical helicopter was summoned. The rider was initially taken to Alton Memorial Hospital and subsequently airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis for further treatment. In response to the incident, the Madison County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. As a result, Godfrey Road is currently closed in both directions. Authorities have not released further details about the condition of the rider or the cause of the crash. The investigation is ongoing.

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COLLINSVILLE - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that resurfacing of Beltline Road between Illinois 157 and Illinois 159 in Madison County will require intermittent lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, Sept. 3. Motorists should be alert for heavy and stopped traffic during the work and are encouraged to use alternate routes. Drivers are also urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of November. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today that the Illinois Flag Commission will begin accepting public submissions for a new state flag design beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. The commission will accept design ideas for consideration from the public – online or via mail – until Oct. 18, 2024. The commission also plans to work with schools and local libraries to inform Illinoisans about the process and encourage residents to take part. The commission was created in 2023 after Senate Bill 1818, sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner (48th District—Springfield) and State Representative Kam Buckner (26th District—Chicago) was signed into law. “I’m excited to see the creativity of Illinois residents and how they display their passion for our great state,” said Giannoulias whose office is responsible for chairing the commission. “The symbols that represent and unify our state are important and this

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Energy has awarded $483,790 to three Public Water Supply facilities – also referred to as Drinking Water Treatment Plants - through the Public Water Supply Energy Efficiency Grant Program. The selected projects will reduce each facility’s energy consumption with cost effective energy efficiency (EE) upgrades to drinking water treatment operations. Projects include lighting and control upgrades, pump or drive replacements and optimizations, and HVAC modifications. Collectively, the EE projects are estimated to save over 715,000 kWh of electricity annually. The recipients of this round of awards are: City of Aurora (Kane and DuPage Counties) - $101,790 City of Highland Park (Lake County) - $328,000 City of Springfield (Sangamon County) - $54,000 “Energy efficiency upgrades in public water facilities are not just about reducing operational costs—they’re integral to environmental

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EAST ALTON — Violet Stover, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School (EAWR), has been named a Midwest Members Athlete of the Month for East Alton-Wood River High School for her outstanding achievements in volleyball. Stover, who has been playing volleyball since the fourth grade and club volleyball since the seventh grade, has garnered this recognition through her dedication and impressive performance on the court. "I am truly honored to receive this award," Stover said. "Being named MVP during my junior year and my involvement in club volleyball have played significant roles in my development as an athlete." Stover attributes much of her success to her coach, Bethany Billingsley, as well as the unwavering support of her family. "Coach Billingsley has been instrumental in my growth, both as a player and as an individual," she stated. "I also want to thank my family for their constant encouragement and support." In addition to her athletic prowess, Stover is also focused

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GRANITE CITY/ BELLEVILLE MARYVILLE/ HILLSBORO, MO - Chestnut Health Systemsä has named Tony Coletta, M.S. as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) effective Monday, October 7, 2024. Coletta brings more than 20 years of experience in health care, the past 18 at Carle Health and Advocate BroMenn Medical Center. He will assume most responsibilities from current Chief Operating Officer (COO) and General Counsel, Puneet Leekha, J.D. In April, Leekha was named the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Chestnut and will transition into that role in fall 2025. Coletta’s extensive experience in health care administration, leadership, and organizational development positions him to lead the administrative departments of employee experience, facilities, human resources, information technology, and marketing and communications, with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and efficiency. In this role, he will work closely with the leadership team to continue the company’s

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County’s Chief Assessment Office (CCAO) will be working in Foster Township for the next several months to update its file for online property images. Staff from the CCAO will be taking street-view photographs of residential and commercial properties for reassessment for the Foster Township Quadrennial. “The county’s personnel will have badges and yellow vests on, as well as driving marked county cars,” Chief County Assessor Denise Shores said. She said staff would also leave door hangers notifying the property owners about what they are doing. The information is being gathered so that it can be put into the county’s tax assessment system— DEVNET. The photo project is expected to continue through November. Shores said that once the project is completed, taxpayers would be able to view their full assessment information online, and if they need help, they can contact the CCAO at (618) 692-6270.

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EDWARDSVILLE - After being granted pretrial release twice, a homeless Edwardsville man faces new charges following a public assault and battery incident near Dewey’s Pizza in Edwardsville. Daniel Vazzana, 42, listed as homeless out of Edwardsville, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony, and aggravated assault, a Class A misdemeanor. On Aug. 17, 2024, Vazzana allegedly “threatened to kill” an individual while “moving towards him in an aggressive manner” after reportedly pushing the same victim in the parking lot of Dewey’s Pizza at 112 E. Vandalia St. in Edwardsville. “Defendant approached the victim on a public street and pushed him, then him through a public parking lot while threatening his life,” a petition to deny Vazzana’s pretrial release states. It was noted that at the time of the incident, Vazzana was out on pretrial release from another case filed earlier this year, for which he has “repeatedly

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ST. LOUIS – Ted Drewes Jr., the man behind the iconic St. Louis frozen custard business, died at the age of 96 on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Drewes, a beloved figure in the St. Louis community, dedicated his life to preserving and expanding the family business, which has become a staple in St. Louis. “His dedication to keeping the St. Louis staple alive for generations is truly inspiring,” the Ted Drewes, Inc., staff said on the company's Facebook page. Ted Drewes Jr.'s contributions to the business began early, building upon the foundation laid by his father, who opened the first frozen custard shop in Florida in 1929. The Drewes family then established the first St. Louis location in 1930 at the intersection of Natural Bridge Road and Goodfellow Avenue. Throughout the years, the business expanded, with notable locations at 4224 South Grand Boulevard and 6726 Chippewa Street in St. Louis. While the Natural Bridge Road location eventually closed, the Chippewa and South

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