Riverbender 🕸

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, released new fall respiratory virus vaccine guidance and issued a statewide standing order to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, for routine, non-seasonal vaccines, IDPH recommends that healthcare providers continue to follow the CDC immunization schedules for children and adults issued as of August 7, 2025, which are based on years of science, research, data, and best practices. These measures are being taken in accordance with the executive order issued by Governor Pritzker earlier this month . The fall vaccine guidance was adopted by IDPH after robust discussion and votes made by the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee (IL-IAC) on September 22, 2025. The IL-IAC is composed of a group of 20 highly qualified experts spanning epidemiology, infectious diseases, pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, nursing, pharmacy,

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GRANITE CITY – A man from Cahokia faces his latest felony as Granite City Police have charged him with sexually abusing a then-15-year-old victim in 2024. Dallas L. Rivers, 33, of Cahokia, Ill., was charged on Sept. 16, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Rivers allegedly committed an act of sexual abuse against a victim who was 15 years old at the time of the offense on Nov. 7, 2024. The investigation began after the Granite City Police Department received a report of a missing 15-year-old female, according to the state’s petition to deny Rivers’s pretrial release from custody. “Officers responded and found her in the backseat of a vehicle with the defendant and they appeared to be in various states of undress,” the petition states. “ was later interviewed and said that she and the defendant had sexual intercourse after she told him that she was only 15 years old.” The petition adds Rivers was out on pretrial

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City has always been a steel town. Its factories and workers are the heartbeat of our community - providing strong union jobs that support families and fuel the local economy. That’s why the recent decision to continue steel slab production at Granite City Works (GCW) is more than good news - it’s a victory for the Metro East. Earlier this month, U.S. Steel announced plans to halt slab production at GCW. The impact would have been devastating: hundreds of workers and their families thrown into uncertainty and a community shaken. We knew we had to act. Our fight to protect these jobs has been ongoing. In 2018, President Trump visited GCW and pledged to revive American steel manufacturing—a promise that led to new tariffs on foreign steel, the return of hundreds of good-paying manufacturing jobs, and the restart of blast furnace B. But in 2023, GCW faced another blow when primary operations were indefinitely idled. Since then, we’ve worked

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EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville School District #7 showcased its artistic talent at the inaugural "Chalk This Way" Chalk Art Competition held Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Glen Carbon. Students from elementary through high school levels participated, with Edwardsville High School art teacher Cassie Flynn serving as one of the event judges. The competition recognized outstanding student artists across three age categories. Oakleigh Furlong from Woodland Elementary won the elementary division, Abby Mollet from Liberty Middle School took first place in the middle school category, and Jazmin Hayes of Edwardsville High School earned top honors in the high school group. In addition to the category winners, Taylor Finch from Lincoln Elementary received the People’s Choice award. Jazmin Hayes was the runner-up for this popular vote. The event highlighted the district’s commitment to fostering creativity among its students and celebrating their achievements in the arts.

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education spoke about how to spend the remaining $10 million in the 2023 bond and how the money could be used to address abatement and construction at Hamel Elementary School. Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton explained that the district held community engagement sessions in 2022 to get a better understanding of their facility needs. At this point, there were also conversations about consolidating Hamel and Midway Elementary Schools. Through these engagement sessions and surveys, the district identified the top three project priorities. These priorities were installing double-entry doors at the remaining schools and rebuilding Lincoln Middle School on-site. The district finished both projects this past summer. The third priority was Hamel Elementary School asbestos abatement and classroom build. The district decided not to move forward with the Hamel-Midway consolidation at that time, which meant Midway

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-05 directing state agencies to identify up to 4% of Fiscal Year 2026 General Funds appropriations to reserve in order to mitigate the impact of Trump’s disastrous economic policies while working to maintain core services. The action comes as all states, including Illinois, are forced to manage the Trump and Congressional Republicans’ budget bill that threatens state revenue streams and places pressure on Illinois’ fiscal stability. Trump’s reckless economic policies are wrecking state economies, stifling job growth, and increasing unemployment in key sectors. At the same time, Trump’s tariffs are taxing working families, increasing the costs of everyday goods and disrupting supply chains. This chaos is making it harder for businesses to hire, expand production, or maintain payrolls. In the coming months, Trump’s budget bill will further compound these pressures, creating uncertainty

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O’FALLON, Ill. – Prairie Cardiovascular is pleased to welcome Rece Portell, PA-C, to its team in O’Fallon. Portell is a knowledgeable physician assistant who holds a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. She has assisted in advanced cardiac procedures, interpreted diagnostic tests, and participated in the care of patients with heart failure, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and other chronic conditions. She believes every patient deserves to feel heard and empowered in their health care journey. Portell prioritizes building strong relationships with her patients, taking time to listen to their concerns and involve them in decision-making. Her goal is not only to treat medical conditions but also to improve her patients’ overall quality of life. She looks forward to welcoming new patients and providing compassionate, expert care tailored to everyone’s needs. To learn more about the

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EAST ST. LOUIS/EDWARDSVILLE - On any given afternoon this fall, visitors walking through the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus—a long-standing hub of learning and service in East St. Louis—may notice something unexpected taking place: People quietly stretching on yoga mats, breathing deeply, and practicing mindfulness together. That scene is part of an eight-week Mindfulness Workshop Series hosted by SIUE’s Learning Resource Center (LRC), a welcoming space for students and community members alike. The series, facilitated by Amber Davis, SIUE’s LRC Resource Coordinator, and taught by Redina Medley of Redimed Performance, Plus, is designed to give students, staff, and community members a place to pause, recharge, and connect. The workshops are the result of a collaborative effort among SIUE’s LRC, Redimed Performance, Plus and the East St. Louis Historical Society. Davis and Medley co-designed the series to engage East St. Louis residents around

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS SCOREBOARD BOYS SOCCER Freeburg 7, Breese Central 2 Trenton Wesclin 2, Greenville 1 Columbia 13, East Alton-Wood River 0 Father McGivney Catholic 0, Mascoutah 0 Waterloo 2, Belleville West 0 O'Fallon, Mo. St. Dominic Catholic 3, Triad 2 Belleville Althoff Catholic 6, Breese Mater Dei Catholic 0 GIRLS TENNIS Granite City 6, Belleville Althoff Catholic 3 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Red Bud 25-25, Pinckneyville 15-20 Columbia 25-25, Waterloo Gibault Catholic 23-20 Metro-East Lutheran 23-28-25, Litchfield 25-26-23 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL St. Louis Cardinals 6, San Francisco Giants 5 Atlanta Braves 11, Washington Nationals 5 San Diego Padres 5, Milwaukee Brewers 4 (11 innings) NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE --- WEEK THREE Detroit Lions 38, Baltimore Ravens 30 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS SCOREBOARD MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL St. Louis Cardinals 5, Milwaukee Brewers 1 Atlanta Braves 6, Detroit

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding Illinoisans to take appropriate precautions against tick bites after an Illinois resident became seriously ill with Powassan – a tickborne illness that had not previously been detected in this state. IDPH and the local health department are currently investigating whether the resident was exposed to the illness through a tick bite here in Illinois or in a different state. IDPH says the case serves as a reminder to protect oneself against any and all illnesses associated with ticks. “With warm weather still prevalent, tick-borne diseases remain a potential threat here in Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “It’s important for everyone to guard against tick bites and the serious illnesses they can cause. We urge everyone to ‘Fight the Bite’ by reducing opportunities for exposures and repelling tick bites by wearing preventive clothing. If you have

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BETHALTO – The Village of Bethalto is taking decisive steps to address residents’ concerns regarding water quality, combining immediate action, and long-term infrastructure upgrades. The water quality issue has been elevated to both state and federal authorities. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has conducted extensive testing of groundwater, water from the treatment plant, and samples taken from homes and schools across the Village’s water system. According to IEPA data there are no water quality concerns in the Bethalto water system. Diagnosis and Findings Illinois EPA believes the cause of the discoloration in Bethalto is a combination of iron -resulting from deteriorating cast iron water mains in the distribution – and manganese, which is present in the raw well water. Iron and manganese are minerals which can cause unsightly tastes, odor and discoloration including a red, brown or black appearance. Bethalto’s official compliance

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ALTON – After years of building a following with its bold flavors, signature Nashville-style heat, and unmatched customer experience, Heaterz Hot Chicken is proud to announce it is officially launching franchise opportunities across the United States. Founded in Alton, Illinois , with a second location in Normal, Illinois , Heaterz has quickly become a staple in the local food scene, known for its crave-worthy hot chicken sandwiches, sidewinder fries, and irresistible Nashville street corn. Voted “People’s Choice” at Illinois State Fair and praised for its unapologetically bold branding, Heaterz has proven it’s not just a restaurant, it’s a movement. “We’ve built something special, and we’re ready to share it,” said Dan King, founder and owner of Heaterz . “This isn’t your average chicken concept, we bring heat, hype, and heart to everything we do. People don’t just love our food, they love the experience,

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EDWARDSVILLE – In September, Revity Credit Union employees came together to raise $1,410.00 for the Oasis Women’s Center 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 Oasis Women’s Center was nominated as the recipient of our September Threads of Kindness donation, receiving $1,410.00 that will support adults and children in our local community who are affected by domestic violence. Revity Credit Union’s donation will help fund the Oasis Women’s Center’s

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ALTON – OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center has bolstered its orthopedics specialty services program by adding a new orthopedic surgeon. Major Erin R. Swan, M.D., an active-duty officer who currently serves in a similar role with the United States Air Force, stationed at Scott Air Force Base (Mascoutah, IL), is accepting new patients through OSF Saint Anthony’s orthopedics specialty services located in Suite 305 within the OSF Saint Anthony’s Medical Office Building (#2 Saint Anthony’s Way, Alton) on the hospital campus. Dr. Swan sees patients 18 years and older - and appointments with Dr. Swan can be made by calling (618) 474-6595. “The addition of Major Dr. Swan strengthens our orthopedic specialty services program by addressing a primary strategic initiative for OSF Saint Anthony’s here in the Riverbend region,” says Dennis Sands, M.D., chief medical officer, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center. “Major Dr. Swan believes

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ALTON – Alton Committee of the Whole members on Monday voted 4-3 to send a resolution allocating $10,000 for a six-week program aimed at curbing youth violence to the City Council for final approval this Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. The resolution calls for $10,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the 40 Days of Nonviolence Initiative . The $10,000 total represents $2,000 for two weeks of planning at $100 per hour, $2,000 for two weeks of outreach in the form of stakeholder meetings and data analysis, and $6,000 for six weeks worth of programming, including $1,100 for food and $1,900 for promotional costs. This comes two weeks after committee members laid the item over so representatives of the 40 Days of Nonviolence Initiative could present more detailed information about the program’s purpose and funding. Joe Lewis and Sherri Miller, executive committee members of 40 Days of Nonviolence and Beyond, shared more details with – and answered several

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ALTON — A rally drawing an estimated 750 to 1,000 people was held Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at the Alton Visitor’s Center to honor the memory of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University. Michelle Nitzsche, one of the event’s organizers, described the gathering as a peaceful demonstration marked by expressions of unity and remembrance. “The crowd went down the street and kept getting longer and longer,” she said, noting the turnout exceeded initial expectations. Participants shared personal testimonies during an open microphone session, and some attendees offered bottles of water to passersby as a gesture of goodwill. “I hope Charlie and God were pleased how it went,” Nitzsche said. “I was proud that the people that went were peaceful.” Nitzsche emphasized the rally’s focus on peace and love, values she attributed to both Kirk and a higher spiritual

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ALTON - Alton People’s United has continued to hold their weekly protests in Alton, and they look forward to hosting a march with speakers in October. At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, community members can join the march from the Alton Amphitheater to Lincoln-Douglas Square. Clayton Monroe said that their goal is to support Riverbend residents with mutual aid while protesting the current federal administration. “We want to show people in Alton and Madison County that, moving forward, Alton People’s United will be a name that people will recognize and people will know means support and care and love,” he said. Monroe, who organizes Alton People’s United alongside Amy Monroe and Missy Johnson, noted that their mission is shifting from the weekly protests to mutual aid that can help people in the community. They believe this work is important. “At the end of the day, community is stronger than anything else,” Monroe explained. “I’ve

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ST. LOUIS — Homicide detectives are seeking help identifying a suspect connected to a deadly shooting at 3:05 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Sept. 21, 2025, at a Schnucks grocery store in the 3400 block of Union Boulevard in St. Louis. The shooting incident began when two men began fighting inside the store, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police. One of the men pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots, striking a 20-year-old man who later died at a hospital. The Schnucks store, located in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood, reopened on Monday, September 22, 2025, with what authorities described as a subdued atmosphere. Police are urging anyone who recognizes the person of interest shown above to contact the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. Those wishing to remain anonymous and potentially receive a cash reward for tips leading to a felony arrest can call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).

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BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County Transit District announced Tuesday it has received $450,000 in federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds to develop Phase 1 of the Fairview Heights-Swansea Trail. This initial phase will construct a 0.25-mile connector trail extending from Illinois 161 and Sullivan Drive/Union Hill Road north to the existing MetroBikeLink System of trails. The project, located in Fairview Heights, is part of a three-phase effort that will ultimately create a 4.2-mile bike trail corridor stretching from the intersection of Highway 161 and Sullivan Drive/Union Hill Road to Longacre Drive. The corridor will integrate into the St. Clair County Transit District’s MetroBikeLink System, which currently comprises 39 miles of interconnected trails and bike paths throughout St. Clair County, linking six Metro Transit Centers. Phase 1 will feature a separated, 10-foot-wide paved shared-use path running parallel to Sullivan Drive/Union Hill Road within the county’

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ALTON - The Alton Fitness Court is officially open. On Sept. 23, 2025, the community came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of the fitness court at Riverfront Park. The Alton Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with the National Fitness Campaign and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to fund and install the court. “This is a wonderful, wonderful thing for our community,” said Mayor David Goins. “We’re so proud to see this down here. It’s such a beautiful venue, the river, the bridge, the amphitheater, the marina. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful thing that we have for our community.” The fitness court has several stations where community members can complete exercises, as well as an open space for fitness classes. Lyndsey Younger, executive director of the Alton Parks and Recreation Department, shared that the project has been in the works since December 2024 when Goins received an email from

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