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HARTFORD - The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site will commemorate the 221st anniversary of the start of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with the annual Point of Departure Commemoration May 10 and 11. Visitors can interact with military demonstrators, historic artisans, and hands-on displays at this free event, which takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Artisans will exhibit historic skills including candle making, leatherworking, tanning, gunsmithing, spinning, woodworking and more. The event offers an opportunity for visitors to experience how things were made in the past and what life in the Illinois Country was like. Frontier medicine of the early 19th Century will be explored with a display of medical instruments and common treatments. Military reenactors will portray soldiers of the Lewis and Clark Expedition's Corps of Discovery. Interpreting the "White Pirogue" replica of the Expedition's boat, these reenactors will reveal the grueling task of navigating against the

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G RANITE CITY - Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski stopped at Granite City for a roundtable discussion with local leaders about funding for local projects. On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Budzinski and leaders from local communities met at America’s Central Port in Granite City to discuss the Continuing Resolution recently passed by Congressional Republicans. This resolution did not include funding for 15 projects in the 13th District, which Budzinski represents. “We had a number of projects that, had we reached a full and complete federal budget in this last fiscal year, we would have been able to award these well-deserving communities with this commitment,” Budzinski explained. “These are projects that had already gone through the appropriations process and had been approved, but we just failed to reach, under Republican leadership, a complete federal budget. So this can has continued to be kicked down the road, quite frankly, for the last several years.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Just in time for Earth Day, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will become an official steward of an Artemis Moon Tree. The Liquidambar styraciflua (American Sweetgum) seedling is scheduled for public viewing and planting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 otherwise known as Earth Day. SIUE was one of three locations in the state of Illinois to be awarded the 50 to 60-inch seedling due to an application from associate director of admissions, Alicia Taylor. “I thought this was a long shot,” said Taylor who applied for The Gardens at SIUE to be the permanent location for one of the botanical space travellers. "Looking through the lens of educational outreach, this seemed like a great opportunity for learners from across generations to engage with SIUE in a way that aligns with our mission." According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Moon Trees Team, the seedling was grown from a seed that orbited the Moon during the November 16,

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, led Senate and House Democrats in an amicus brief opposing President Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to fire members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). FTC Commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya are duly appointed, Senate-confirmed Commissioners at an independent federal agency created by Congress. President Trump’s illegal attempts to terminate them threaten the integrity of independent federal agencies and the FTC’s ability to enforce civil antitrust law and protect the public from fraudsters and monopolists. In addition to Durbin and Booker, the brief was led by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Amy Klobuchar

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul presented the proposed budget for the Attorney General’s office for the next fiscal year to a Senate legislative committee today in Chicago. Raoul announced that since taking office in 2019, his office has generated an average of $23.47 in revenue for every dollar of taxpayer funding the office received. “The Attorney General’s office serves Illinois as the people’s law firm, protecting seniors from scammers, supporting victims of violent crime and advocating for the state’s interests,” Raoul said. “We are committed to maintaining vital programs and services to the people of Illinois, even as our responsibilities continue to expand under new statutory requirements and greater enforcement authority of existing state laws, as well as our critical work to protect Illinoisans’ rights from attack by the federal government.” During the hearing, Raoul highlighted the increased workload resulting

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - A family is seeking community support after a car accident on March 17, 2025, resulted in the deaths of Ashley Koehler and her 10-year-old son, Jacob, and left her 3-year-old daughter, Gracie, critically injured. In response to the tragedy, friends and family organized the Emmerich Family Benefit fundraiser, scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2025, at St. Clair Bowl, located at 5950 Old Collinsville Road in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The event will include a silent auction and a ball raffle, with all proceeds going to support Koehler’s four children. The benefit features a 9-Pin No Tap Tournament and costs $25 per participant. Those interested in attending or reserving a spot can contact Kim at (618) 972-4713. “All proceeds from the benefit go toward all four children who were left behind after this tragedy,” organizers said.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Patrick Steinway, 41, of the 4800 block of Southridge Park Drive in St. Louis, was charged Tuesday, April 15, 2025, with stealing more than $25,000 from St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Church, authorities said. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the charges on April 15, 2025. Steinway is being held on a $25,000 cash-only bond with no option for 10% bond. The investigation began on Jan. 24, 2025, when Detective #1 responded to the Bank of Hillsboro following reports of theft from the church. Steinway, who volunteered for the church and worked at the bank, managed the church’s athletic department and was responsible for collecting and processing fees for its programs, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Office confirmed. During routine audits of nonprofit accounts at the bank, irregularities were discovered involving two church accounts and one personal account opened by Steinway. It was determined that Steinway transferred funds

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ALTON - Maya and Alex Stephan have emerged as pivotal players for the Marquette Catholic girls' soccer team during their successful 2025 campaign. In a recent match against Roxana, both sisters contributed to the team's victory by scoring goals, showcasing their skill and teamwork. The match occurred last week, further solidifying the Explorers' strong season. The Stephan sisters are Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athletes of the Month for Marquette Catholic. Maya, reflecting on her journey, expressed her long-standing desire to play for Marquette Catholic. "I remember Alex and I watching them win in penalty kicks in the playoffs," she said. "I've been fortunate to have played with great teammates, but to share the experience with my sister for two years is something I will always be grateful for." Alex also shared her sentiments about playing alongside her sister. "I really enjoy playing with Maya. I'm definitely going to miss her when she graduates, not just the

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TROY - Make plans to spend the First Fridays in Downtown Troy this summer. Enjoy live entertainment, local food, market vendors, and shopping while exploring Market and Main Streets. The first event will be held May 2, 2025, with three more held the first Friday of June, August and September. The musical lineup for this summer at First Fridays in Downtown Troy is sensational. Standout area musician Mike Sonderegger of Mike Sonderegger Music will kick off the season with his always entertaining acoustic performance on May 2. On June 6, 2025, Dawn Mushill, President/CEO Of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jaob/Marine/Marine Chamber of Commerce said: "We go country with one of the best country bands in the area, Shotgun Creek. "We take a break for July 4th, then Lanny & Julie (a local staple) will join us on August 1st. Finishing the season, we have The Dude Abides Duo in September, which is guaranteed to rock the night. All concerts run 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. "People are encouraged to

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School senior Itzel Villalba, a second-year cross country runner and spring track athlete, continues to make strides in her athletic career by setting personal records at recent meets. Villalba is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month for the Warriors with her efforts on the track team, this past fall's cross country season and in the classroom. The Warriors' Villalba competed in the Lady Knight Invitational, where she recorded times of 3:10.25 in the 800-meter and 6:56.01 in the 1600-meter events. She also participated in the FCHS Wiseman/Henning Invitational on April 14, 2025, where she achieved a personal record of 6:52.80 in the 1600-meter, finishing in 20th place. In the same meet, she placed 22nd in the 800-meter with a time of 3:11.84. Reflecting on her progress, Villalba said, “I like to accomplish my goals.” As she approaches the remainder of her senior year, she aims to continue improving her performance in track

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WOOD RIVER – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered on IL 143 in Wood River on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, weather permitting. The right lanes will be closed in both directions from Enviro Way to Locks and Dam Way to allow IDOT District 8 Operations crews to perform needed emergency bridge deck repair work. All lanes are expected to re-open on Thursday, April 17. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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GODFREY/EAST ALTON – Two local men have been charged in the latest case of copper theft reported in the Riverbend. Chad E. Gill, 44, of Godfrey and a 35-year-old East Alton man were both charged with Class 3 felony counts of theft on April 8, 2025. The East Alton man allegedly stole between $500-$10,000 worth of copper wire from Alton Materials on Feb. 5, 2025. On the same day, Gill received the copper wire under such circumstances that he knew it was stolen, according to court documents. The cases against the East Alton man and Gill were presented by the Alton Police Department, and both were granted pretrial release from custody. This comes just one week after two other local men were charged with stealing over $10,000 worth of copper products from Wieland in East Alton. More details about that case are available in this story on Riverbender.com . All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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PONTOON BEACH – This May, to celebrate National Bike Month, Madison County Transit (MCT) will host the MCT 2025 Trail Summit – Exploring Trail-Oriented Development (TrOD), a virtual event focused on the economic and community benefits of trail-based development. Additionally, MCT is collaborating with St. Louis-based nonprofit BWorks and several local libraries to collect used bicycles to be distributed to individuals in need. MCT 2025 Trail Summit: Exploring Trail Oriented Development The MCT 2025 Trail Summit is a free virtual event that will take place on Wednesday, May 14, from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. This online event will bring together experts to discuss how trails can drive economic growth and enhance community development. SJ Morrison, MCT’s Managing Director, will moderate the discussion featuring speakers with firsthand experience in trail-oriented development: Dan Tripp , Co-Owner, Good News Brewing – Greater St. Louis Area David Kennedy

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SPRINGFIELD, IL — This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) will kick off a tour of hospitals and community health centers across Illinois' 13th district to raise awareness about the devastating impact of proposed Medicaid cuts by Congressional Republicans. Last week, House Republicans passed a budget reconciliation framework that would require an $880 billion reduction to Medicaid, aimed at funding tax cuts for billionaires and large corporations. These cuts threaten the vital support that health centers rely on to provide care to local communities. The tour will begin on Thursday, April 17th, with a visit to the Carlinville Area Hospital in Carlinville. From there, she will head to Granite City to tour the Chestnut Clinic. On Friday, April 18th, Budzinski will visit the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, before wrapping up the tour with a stop at Crossing Healthcare in Decatur. WHAT: Budzinski Kicks off District Tour to Protect Medicaid WHO: U.S. Congresswoman

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ALTON - Cervical cancer is a concern for anyone with a cervix, but fortunately, it’s possible to detect and treat it early. Dr. Dennis Sands, Chief Medical Officer with OSF Healthcare, recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to talk about cervical cancer. Sands explained that most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection that can be easily detected in a pap smear. “One of the great things about finding that or making that discovery is we’re able to just simply do a pap smear, which is a screening test,” he said. “The main thing is just if people get their paps like they need to, then they’re able to catch the precursor lesions, which are caused by the HPV virus, and then we’re able to treat them before they actually ever develop cervical cancer.” Sands explained that the pap smear is a “super sensitive” screening that only

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NORMAL - Award-winning poets Victoria Chang and Ali Beheler will visit Bloomington-Normal for the annual Spoon River Poetry Review (SRPR) Lucia Getsi Poetry Reading on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The poetry reading begins at 7 p.m. at the Normal Theater in Uptown Normal. A book signing will follow the reading. Chang has received several awards for her poetry, including the Forward Prize for Best Collection of Poetry, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in Poetry, and the PEN/Voelcker Award, among others. Ali Beheler is the winner of the 2024 SRPR Editors’ Prize for her poem “Everything Is Prep Work.” The SRPR Lucia Getsi Poetry Reading is made possible by the Harold K. Sage Fund and the Illinois State University Foundation, Lucia Getsi, SRPR, the Publications Unit, the Department of English at Illinois State University, and the Department of English at Illinois Wesleyan University. Established and endowed in 2013 by longtime

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SAINT LOUIS — Celebrate the women who inspire us every day with an elevated brunch experience at 612North Event Space + Catering . Join us on Sunday, May 11 , with reservation time slots beginning at 9:00 AM , for a special Mother's Day event overlooking the stunning St. Louis riverfront. Located inside the historic Cutlery Building at 612 North 2nd Street , 612North offers a sophisticated atmosphere paired with breathtaking views of the Gateway Arch, the Mississippi River, and downtown St. Louis. Our Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet features some of the best brunch staples you can imagine. Indulge in our prime rib carving station and fried chicken & waffles . For those who love classic breakfast favorites, we’ve got you covered with scrambled eggs , biscuits & gravy , bacon , sausage links , and a veggie crustless quiche . But that’s not all—guests can also enjoy house salads , assorted fruit displays , bagels with a variety of spreads

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SPRINGFIELD – Members of Lewis and Clark Community College’s chapter of FBLA Collegiate brought home 24 awards from the Illinois State Leadership Conference in Springfield this past week, including advisor of the year. “The competition showcased the exceptional business acumen and leadership skills of our LC students,” said Advisor Christina Wickenhauser. “We were recognized as the largest FBLA Collegiate Chapter in the state of Ilinois. Nicc Edwards, our club president, was awarded the Dr. Tina Dierkes Sponsorship his second year in a row for his active contributions. And I was very humbled by the recognition I received as Advisor of the Year.” The conference, held March 29-30, gathered students for a weekend filled with leadership development, networking and competition. Nine participants, including eight current LC students and one alumnus, competed in 32 different events spanning objective tests, presentations, and case studies. The chapter's

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Illinois film industry leaders today to announce film production expenditures of $653 million in 2024 – the second-highest expenditure total in state history – along with estimated wages of $351 million and 18,200 estimated hires in the industry (excluding extras). The high expenditures demonstrate Illinois’ ability to bounce back in the wake of the strikes that halted production in 2023. “Through the Film and TV Workforce Program, we have invested in the future of the industry – increasing diversity and building out a qualified pipeline of hundreds who are equipped to serve on film crews and making it possible for us to attract major productions,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our success is a testament to our hard work and partnership as well as the undeniable charm of Illinois and our people that makes us a prime creative destination.”

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SPRINGFIELD – As high school seniors finalize their postsecondary education plans for the upcoming school year ahead of College Decision Day on May 1, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) is enlisting the help of Illinois high school principals, counselors, and teachers to warn college-bound students and their families about the risks associated with attending for-profit colleges. In the past few years, the U.S. has experienced workforce shortages across various industries. Illinois is projected to face a shortfall of nearly 15,000 nurses this year—with half of nurses in Illinois age 55 and older. The Illinois State Board of Education had nearly 3,900 unfilled teaching positions, as well as an additional 3,600 unfilled school staff positions as of October 2024. Without a trained workforce, Illinois will continue to face labor shortfalls across these crucial sectors. As a result, the U.S. is poised to see negative economic consequences. In his letter, Durbin encouraged

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