Riverbender 🕸

RIVERBEND - Sexual assault/abuse is all too common. While the ER is a good place to go immediately after an assault to treat physical wounds, sexual assault and domestic violence survivors usually have emotional or mental wounds that need attention, too. In the weeks, months and years following an assault, it can be difficult to process what happened or move forward without proper support. Therapists, support groups and loved ones can help you through this. There are also advocates who are specially trained to support survivors in the immediate aftermath of an assault. What advocacy groups are near me? Sometimes you aren’t sure what help you need; you just know you can’t do it by yourself. This is when an advocate can step in to help you through the process of going to the ER, reporting an assault to the police or finding resources to support long-term recovery. Many of these groups also offer counseling or support group services. Ultimately, you don’t

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BETHALTO - The children and grandchildren of Paul and Jo Ann (Walton) Stilwell have planned a 60th-wedding anniversary celebration for them and family and friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 14, 2024, at the Brick Hall, 220 N. Prairie St., Bethalto. The party will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Brick Hall. There will be a tribute presentation at approximately 2 p.m. No gifts are necessary for the celebration. Heavy appetizers and beverages will be served. Amy Gross, one of their children, said she and the rest of her family are so proud of the legacy her parents have built and the loving people they are today. The couple was married at St. Mary’s church in April 1964. They have three married children, Aaron and Tammy Stilwell, of Godfrey, Anessa and Jack Emmons of Brighton, and Amy and Tyler Gross of Wake Forest, N.C. Paul and Jo Ann have seven grandchildren: Curtis (and Megan) Stilwell, Sara Stilwell, Alex (and Amy) Dodge, Abbie (and Joel) Hobart, Jackson Emmons, and Audrey Gross.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is launching an educational, public awareness campaign focused on reducing incidents involving road rage. The new campaign, Road Rage. Don’t Engage . is designed to raise awareness about an increase in road rage incidents leading to violence, as well as educate the public on the signs of road rage and tips on how to prevent and handle these situations. “Although road rage is nothing new, we’re seeing people react more aggressively and dangerously,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The message is simple – if you see or become part of a road rage situation, don’t engage. That extra car length you gain by cutting someone off, or arriving 10 seconds earlier by tailgating another person, is not worth your life.” ISP developed a campaign to raise public awareness about road rage and the disturbing trend. The campaign consists of social media, including a social media toolkit

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RIVERBEND - An American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) . While this number is staggering, that also means you aren’t alone. If you’ve been sexually assaulted, there are resources that can help you in the immediate aftermath and during your long-term recovery. What happens if I go to the emergency room? The last thing most people want to do after an assault is go to the emergency room, but that’s exactly what is recommended. If you go to the ER up to seven days after an assault, they can provide medical assistance and complete a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit (commonly called a rape kit) that can be used to report the assault to the police. “We’re not here to judge, we’re here to help,” said Traci Bromaghim, the director of emergency services and the sexual assault coordinator at OSF. “I know that there can be a lot of shame and pain that goes

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a recent St. Louis County homicide has been identified as Jaimarcus McDaniel, 17 years of age, of the 1800 block of North 44th Street in East St. Louis. St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the area of Apricot Avenue and Emma Avenue in the City of Jennings Precinct that resulted in the death of a male. A St. Louis County police officer from the City of Jennings Precinct observed a person down in a field in the area of Apricot Avenue and Emma Avenue. The officer observed the person, described as a young male in his late teens, to be deceased. Preliminary investigation has revealed the male suffered apparent gunshot injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous

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GRANITE CITY - The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized eight juniors from Granite City High School as Students of the Month for September, October, November and December. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree will receive a framed certificate and a gift card, and will be recognized at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on March 12, 2024. A'MIYA JAMES - September Member of Secondary Honors ... Honors chemistry and English ... Volunteer at Church ... Daughter of Loreal and Rekeida White. AUDREY WHITEHEAD - September Three-year member of volleyball team ... Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, Spirit Club and Varsity Club ... Volunteer at Coolidge and GCHS Volleyball Camp ... Coolidge Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach ... Daughter of Scott and Jane Whitehead. LYDIA HARRIS - October

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DECATUR - The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request to review the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision on Illinois’ weapons ban law on due process, equal protection, and Second Amendment grounds, according to State Representative Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur), who filed the request. “Our case, along with about 200 cases, were denied a U.S. Supreme Court review,” Caulkins said. “The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear our case does not change the fact two of the Illinois Supreme Court justices, who accepted millions of dollars in donations from gun control advocates, should have recused themselves from voting. The denial of a hearing does not mean SCOTUS approves the conduct of the Justices. It is not just that they received donations from gun control advocates, but it also is the exorbitant amount of money they received in donations. There is no question, they should have recused themselves.” At issue is the denial of due process under the 14 th Amendmen

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ALTON - While national projections indicate a 4%-6% decline in inpatient admission volumes for hospitals during the next 10 years, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center experienced the opposite in 2023 by realizing an increase in inpatient admissions. In fact, going back to 2021, OSF Saint Anthony’s has seen its market share increase by 15% overall with year-to-year increases from 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. “Our diligent and hyper-focused work is to make OSF Saint Anthony’s a full-service community hospital with all of the necessary primary and specialty care services needed to provide a comprehensive platform for patients here in the Riverbend region,” says Jerry Rumph, president, OSF Saint Anthony’s. “Our overall goal is to keep care close to home while minimizing the need to send patients to St. Louis for care.” And it’s not only in the inpatient acute care area that OSF Saint Anthony’s witnessed increased patient volumes.

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GLEN CARBON - The Village of Glen Carbon has partnered with CivicPlus ® , their website provider, to implement its mass notification software solution. The mass notification system, called CivicReady, will be able to issue urgent notifications, emergency instructions, warnings, and routine communications to subscribed residents via email, text message, and voicemail to keep people safe and informed. In an emergency, community members subscribed to the system will benefit from immediate, actionable information and instructions sent via their preferred notification channel. “After researching many of the local government mass communication options, CivicReady offered the most user-friendly, comprehensive way to connect with residents in the Village,” said Nicole Dicks, Communications Manager. “From urgent notifications to routine communications, subscribed citizens can select how they would like to be informed and what information they would like to receive,”

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ALTON - The SIU School of Dental Medicine (SDM) has temporarily closed its Main Dental Clinic building because of flooding. “Over the Christmas holiday weekend a water heater failed in the lower level of the main clinic building 263 at the SIU School of Dental Medicine…and a one-inch waterline flooded the basement,” the school said in a statement. Two buildings lost power as a result of the flooding. An SIU spokesperson said that maintenance crews have worked “around the clock” to restore operations. Building 280 is once again fully operational, but the Main Dental Clinic in building 263 remains closed, though portions of it will be “ready for occupancy soon.” For SIU SDM students, the temporary closure of the Main Dental Clinic will not disrupt their education. “The educational needs of doctoral and postdoctoral student patient training are being fulfilled during the ongoing restoration of full functionality in the clinic,”

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ALTON - Alton High School announced its fall semester Honor Roll lists. They can be viewed by clicking the links below: Honor Roll - 378 students High Honor Roll - 495 students

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after President Biden renominated Julie Su to be Secretary of Labor—which builds on her strong support for Su—urging Republicans to join Democrats in finally confirming her to support working families: “Since day one of the Biden Administration, Julie Su has been helping lead the Department of Labor and delivering for working families. Now, after nearly a year as Acting Secretary, she’s proven her expertise and ability to serve as the Department’s highest-ranking official. Whether working to strengthen apprenticeship programs or helping to negotiate agreements in industries from rails to ports to auto companies, Julie Su is advancing workers’ rights and getting the job done. “I’m proud President Biden is renominating Su to serve as our next Secretary of Labor because she is the best candidate for the job. Any Senator who voted to confirm former

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus, and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced more than $42 million to Illinois school districts through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The awards, which are made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help selectees purchase clean school buses in school districts across the state. By accelerating the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles, these awards will improve air quality for children and their families and advance environmental justice, all while boosting the economy and creating good-paying jobs. “Transitioning to electric school buses puts Illinois on the path to healthier environments and it opens up new avenues for economic growth and job creation in our state,” said Duckworth. “With this federal support, we’ll be better

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ROXANA – Phillips 66 has opened two scholarships for application – the Phillips 66 Community Advisory Panel Scholarship and the Phillips 66 Community Scholarship. Both scholarship programs are open to high school seniors in the Riverbend region. Applications are due March 1. The Phillips 66 Community Scholarship is renewable for up to $5,500 a year for a four-year institution or $1,500 per year for a community college/technical school. Recipients are also guaranteed an internship interview (four-year institution) or a full-time position (craft/trade school) if they meet the minimum GPA requirements and are interested in a relevant field. The Community Scholarship program awards 66 scholarships to high school seniors who are members of Boys & Girls Club programs in Phillips 66 communities. “We are excited to work with the Boys & Girls Club of Alton and the Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto on this program,” says Melissa Erker, Director of Government & Community

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ROXANA - Rusty Wheat is a one-man “chain gang” , but because of him, more people are talking about ways to keep the roads clean. Wheat’s environmental advocacy work has been a big push toward litter cleanup in the area. In the past year, Madison County introduced an Adopt-a-Highway program and allocated $200,000 towards environmental clean-up efforts. Madison County and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have also installed signs that warn of penalties for littering, and the Roxana Police Department has already issued two citations following the signs’ installation. “I will do anything and everything I can,” Wheat said. “I get out there and pick up trash on the hottest days. When it’s snowing out there, I’ll be out there picking up trash so people can see me and say, ‘Man, that guy’s an idiot. What’s he doing?’ But it draws attention to the issue.” Madison County’s

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ALTON - The Alton Committee of the Whole preliminarily approved amendments to the City Code regarding the zoning districts cannabis businesses are allowed to open/operate in, as well as minor changes to cannabis license renewal and parking space requirements. Dan Lytle spoke on behalf of Subsero Alton Ops during the meeting’s Public Comment portion to ask when the public will be able to review and comment on the proposed ordinance. “I represent Subsero Alton Ops, and they are an entity that’s been involved with a piece of real estate, that already owns a location 1400 E. Broadway in Alton. It’s previously housed an adult cannabis dispensary,” he said. “With respect to item five, I just have a question - in terms of timing, what is the expected timeline at which time any proposed text amendment might be disseminated for public review and comment?” City Attorney Tonya Genovese responded that while they could not have a “back

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GODFREY – Beverly Farm Foundation has announced that it will be collaborating with Boys & Girls Club of Alton to provide a new Therapeutic Equine Program Supporting Youth. The program will be offered through the Equestrian Center at Beverly Farm located on the nonprofit’s 200-acre campus in Godfrey. “At Beverly Farm Foundation, we value collaboration as a cornerstone of our success and are thrilled to announce our new partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Alton,” said Beverly Farm Foundation CEO Crystal Officer. ”We are excited about the opportunities that this partnership will bring and look forward to welcoming all program participants. Our wonderful team at the equestrian center is looking forward to helping more children enjoy the benefits of interacting with and being in the company of horses.” “We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Beverly Farm Foundation for this new program,” said Al Womack, Jr., Executive Director

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ST. LOUIS – The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis has launched the Ameren All In Scholarship Fund, a $1,180,000, five-year commitment to provide 25 students annually with scholarship grants up to $10,000 per student per year for up to 10 semesters, or five years. Applications for this opportunity are now open and applicants can visit sfstl.org/ameren-all-in-scholarship to apply or learn more. The Ameren All In Scholarship is designed to award critical “last dollar” funding to fill the gap between total cost of education and the financial resources available to students from family, school, state, and federal sources. The Ameren All In Scholarship will foster educational attainment and financial strength for members of the community often priced out of post-secondary opportunities. “Education is among our key AmerenCares focus areas, and this new partnership with The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis stands as an example of that ongoing commitment," said Gwe

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Monday that a Troy man has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the fire-related death of a woman in Troy. Michael E. Sloan Jr., 41, of Troy, pleaded guilty to the charge during a hearing Monday before Associate Judge Neil Schroeder in Circuit Court in Madison County. Sloan faces up to 50 years in prison. His sentencing hearing is set for Feb. 26. “We intend to seek the full 50-year term,” Haine said. “This was an especially heinous and cruel crime.” Sloan admitted that he set fire to the home of 69-year-old Susanne Tomlinson in the 500 block of Wood Thrush in Troy on Sept. 22, 2022, knowing that she was inside. The fire resulted in the death of Tomlinson. Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Maricle, in outlining the case to the court, said evidence and testimony would show that Sloan poured gasoline in Tomlinson’s duplex and doused her with gasoline.

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ALTON – February is recognized as American Heart Month – a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans. Since heart disease continues to be the greatest health threat to Americans and is still the leading cause of death worldwide, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center (1 St. Anthony’s Way, Alton) is hosting an upcoming Healthy Workplace Lunch & Learn program providing important steps to achieving a healthier heart. This lunch & learn program, titled “You Can’t Beat A Healthy Heart,” will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the hospital’s Perpetual Help Center and led by Laurinda Harjai, DNP, FNP, RN-BC, nurse practitioner specializing in cardiology. The program is free and lunch will be provided, but registration is required. Registration can be completed by visiting: https://AltonHealthyHearts.eventbrite.com . In most cases, heart disease is preventable when people adopt

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