Riverbender 🕸

ST. LOUIS – BJC Health System has received 109 recognitions for clinical excellence from U.S. News & World Report , including national ranking for Barnes-Jewish Hospital in 11 out of 14 specialties. Multiple BJC hospitals are ranked among the “Best Hospitals” in Missouri. Barnes-Jewish Hospital and its physician partners at WashU Medicine are once again ranked No. 1 in the metro St. Louis area and No. 1 in Missouri. Missouri Baptist Medical Center is No. 3 in both categories, and Christian Hospital is No. 11 in Missouri and No. 6 in the St. Louis area. Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City and Saint Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit were recognized among the top four hospitals in Kansas City and among the top 10 hospitals in Missouri, with Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City ranked No. 2 in the Kansas City metro area. Barnes-Jewish Hospital ranked nationally in 11 specialties: cancer; cardiology, heart and vascular surgery; diabetes

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SOUTH ROXANA – The Village of South Roxana has chosen to voluntarily dismiss its ordinance violation citation against the South Roxana Dad’s Club for holding an unpermitted public event earlier this year. The decision was made not because the Village lacked legal standing — officials remain confident the ordinance is valid and enforceable — but because the Village refuses to spend public funds litigating a case that could have been avoided through simple cooperation. “This was never about punishing the Dad’s Club,” said Police Chief Bob Coles. “It was about following clear rules designed to protect public safety. We simply chose not to continue investing taxpayer dollars in a dispute that should never have happened.” The citation was issued after the Dad’s Club proceeded with a large public event without obtaining the necessary permits — not only from the Village, but also in violation of county and state requirements.

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE – Two men from Alton and one from Edwardsville have been charged with domestic battery and other offenses in separate Madison County cases. Patrick S. Bailey, 31, of Alton, was charged on July 22, 2025 with a Class 4 felony count of criminal damage to property and a Class A misdemeanor count of domestic battery. On July 21, 2025, Bailey allegedly caused bodily harm to a household or family member by striking them about the face, causing a laceration to the victim’s face. He was additionally accused of causing over $500 worth of damage to the victim’s cell phone. The Alton Police Department presented the case against Bailey, who was granted pretrial release from custody with additional conditions. Under the additional conditions of his release, Bailey is ordered to have no contact with the victim from this case and remain at least 50 feet away from them at all times. Another Alton man, 45-year-old Randy R. Harris, faces his second or subsequent

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RIVERBEND - When should you call 988, and what happens when you do? Megan Tyler, the founder of Sacred Spaces of CARE, clarified the reasons why an individual might call 988, which is a 24/7 national crisis line. She also recognized the difference between 911 and 988, and she spoke about what a caller might expect when they dial 988. “988 can really connect you to a plethora or a wide variety of services. It really depends on the situation that you’re in in that moment,” Tyler said. “If there is not a safety threat, then there are some other alternatives that I think would be really good for people to know about and just know what options are available, how to access them, and what to expect when they do call those numbers.” If an individual is a potential danger to themself or others, Tyler recommends calling 911 right away. But if the individual is not a threat and instead is “in a very unregulated or dysregulated emotional state and they’re

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SPRINGFIELD - Health care leaders and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin gathered at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine on July 25 to strongly denounce sweeping federal budget cuts to Medicaid, student loan support and medical research—pillars that sustain both local patient care and the next generation of physicians. “The new federal directives are not theoretical,” said Dr. Jerry Kruse, dean and provost of SIU Medicine. “They will directly harm the people and communities we serve—especially in rural and underserved parts of central and southern Illinois. This isn’t politics. It’s patients, it’s providers and it’s progress on the line.” Senator Durbin, a longtime advocate for rural health care, emphasized the ripple effects of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” the federal budget passed by Congress. “Why would we cut Medicaid so dramatically at this point in history?” Durbin asked. “The administration

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CHICAGO - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will launch a statewide advocacy campaign aimed at preventing insurance companies from using socio-economic data – such as credit scores, zip codes and age – to charge Illinoisans higher auto insurance rates. As part of the “Driving Change” campaign, Giannoulias is asking Illinoisans to share their stories about unfair and discriminatory ratemaking practices through a new website and a series of Town Hall meetings across the state. The office is also urging consumers to contact their state lawmakers to support legislative reforms. Illinois-focused studies have revealed ratemaking inequities and disparities, including insurers on average increasing rates on senior drivers and charging consumers with a safe driving record and poor credit hundreds of dollars more than someone with a DUI conviction and excellent credit. As a result, drivers from disadvantaged neighborhoods and communities of color disproportionately

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the Mellon Foundation through its Public Knowledge program. The award will support the expansion of the Black Lit Network , a digital resource dedicated to African American literary studies. The project includes a podcast series, data visualizations, a literature search tool, and additional public-facing resources. A lead researcher on the project is SIUE Distinguished Research Professor of Literature Howard Rambsy II , PhD. “I’m thrilled to have received this grant and opportunity,” said Rambsy. “I’m especially pleased that the grant will be based at SIUE. It’s rare for an African American literary studies initiative at a regional university like ours to receive a grant of this scale.” According to the Mellon Foundation, the grant enables a team of humanities scholars to “support further development of a network for digital humanities

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ALTON — Forty years ago today, on July 29, 1985, the site for the Robert Pershing Wadlow Statue in Upper Alton was officially staked out, marking the beginning of a community effort to honor the world’s tallest man. The statue was completed and dedicated during a two-day celebration on Oct. 19-20, 1985. Steve Tassinari, co-chair of the Robert Wadlow Statue project, with the late Ron Vanata, recalled how his childhood fascination with Wadlow grew into a mission to bring renewed spirit to the Alton community. “I became interested in Wadlow as a boy, like many of the other Alton area boys,” Tassinari said. Tassinari and many other boys used to visit the Wadlow grave and put themselves next to the graveside and imagine how tall Robert actually was in the end. He was 8-feet-11.1 inches tall at the time of his death. He remains the world's tallest man in the Guinness Book of World Records. Tassinari's interest was rekindled in the 1980s when he demonstrated

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ALTON - Alton native Ja’Markus Gary, recognized for his many athletic and academic achievements at both Alton High School and McKendree University in Lebanon, IL., has taken a new step in his career by joining the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division. Recently, Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor administered the oath of office to a deputy position. Gary, in a ceremony attended by family, marked the beginning of his service with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Gary will start the Police Academy on August 18, 2025. The four-month academy session will be followed by several weeks on patrol alongside a Field Training Officer. Sheriff Connor expressed enthusiasm about Gary’s future contributions and said, “We are excited to see the many contributions Deputy Gary will make during his upcoming years of service to the citizens of Madison County.” Gary was a 2022-23 Academic All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honoree for McKendree, and saw

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ALTON — The Lucy Haskell Playhouse Association will honor the memory of Lucy Haskell with a birthday celebration from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2025, located at the Lucy Haskell Playhouse. The event, held annually, features cake, ice cream, games, pony rides, and other activities for children. On Lucy's birthday on July 29, 1885, her mother celebrated the girl's fifth birthday in the Victorian Queen Anne Stick-style building Margaret Hopkins, one of the event organizers, said the celebration aims to recreate the parties Lucy Haskell would have experienced in the 1880s. “Lucy’s birthday party is always fun, and we try to recreate her party with the pony rides and games similar to what Lucy and company would have played in the 1880s,” Hopkins said. Lucy Haskell died at age 9 on March 27, 1890. Her mother donated the playhouse and the surrounding land to the City of Alton to preserve her memory. Volunteers have worked over the years to maintain the hous

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ST. LOUIS - Registration is now open for the Fall 2025 session of Citizens for Modern Transit’s Ten Toes + Transit program, held in partnership with AARP in St. Louis and the St. Clair County Transit District. Those interested in taking part in the program credited with helping 10,000+ older adults integrate walking and public transit use to explore area attractions in a social setting can register by visiting www.CMT-STL.org then selecting Ten Toes + Transit in the Programs drop box at the top of the page. Individuals can also call Citizens for Modern Transit at 314-231-7272 or attend one of five in-person registration events scheduled for August. The Fall 2025 session gets underway with a kick-off walk on August 28 with a tour of the City of St. Louis Old Courthouse in downtown. Participants will take the MetroLink to the to downtown St. Louis from the Shrewsbury-Lansdowne-I-44 Transit Center. The 12-week-long, guided walking groups get underway and run through th

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SPRINGFIELD – State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced the winning photographers for the 2025 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest , which provides Illinois students with a creative opportunity to share their vision of agriculture in our state. The top nine photographers, ages 8 to 18, will be awarded Bright Start 529 college savings scholarships. “Congratulations to the young photographers who have showcased their talents and creativity in the Cream of the Crop competition this year,” Frerichs said. “Their photos illustrate the beauty and diversity of agriculture in Illinois.” The winning photographs will be displayed August 7-17 at the Illinois State Fair in the Treasurer’s Tent. You can see the photos of the top three finishers in each of the three age categories on the State Treasurer’s website . Winning entries and other photo submissions will be featured in the 2025-2026 Ag Invest calendar, which you can order here , and the

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EAST ALTON — Some East Alton fast-food restaurants closed early on Monday, July 28, 2025, after receiving what East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike described as prank phone calls containing vague threats. Taco Bell, Sonic and McDonald’s in East Alton decided to shut down their businesses early as a precautionary measure. Chief Golike said the calls appeared to come from the same individual and contained “the same vague threat,” which raised concern among management. “It was a little alarming to managers,” Golike said. “It sounded like the same caller with the same vague threat.” Golike noted that the calls seemed to be isolated to the affected businesses and that Alton Police were not receiving similar calls at their locations. Authorities are continuing to research the matter but have not found any indication of an actual threat. Golike emphasized that the early closures were a collective decision made out of caution. The East Alton

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BRUSSELS — A 43-year-old woman was arrested on June 24, 2025, after a deputy sheriff conducted a citizen contact at a General Store on Main Street in Brussels, Calhoun County The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office reported that Tammy E. Bailey of Hardin, Illinois, was taken into custody at 4:25 p.m. Bailey faces charges of violating the sex offender registry and has an outstanding Calhoun County felony warrant. Authorities said Bailey was arrested without incident and transported to the Greene County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing. Officials reminded the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved funding totaling $40 million for the development of four non-congregate shelters that will create 194 units with 422 beds for persons experiencing homelessness. These non-congregate facilities will provide private rooms for individuals and families to reside and will not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement, while also offering necessary support services to help them during their housing transition. “Here in Illinois, we understand that ending the homelessness crisis requires a multifaceted and equitable approach, and that begins with meaningful investments to improve our housing infrastructure,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These four new shelters, which are repurposed from unoccupied properties, will offer a unique private housing support option for over 400 people. I’m thankful to the team at IHDA for their ongoing efforts to destigmatize homelessness and improv

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement following an announcement from the Department of Education that it would begin releasing nearly $5.5 billion in Congressionally-approved funds illegally withheld from states. The restored funding comes after pressure from Budzinski and her House Democratic colleagues. “After we turned up the pressure, I’m glad to see the Trump administration do the right thing and release the education funds they have been illegally withholding from our communities,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “While this announcement is a relief for our school districts – especially as the new school year rapidly approaches – the funding never should have been delayed. Central and Southern Illinoisans deserve a government that keeps its word, and I’ll continue to hold this administration accountable to ensure these critical dollars are delivered to our district.” Earlier

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that bridge deck patching will take place on eastbound Interstate 64 between 15th Street and 25th Street in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, at 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. During that time, traffic will be reduced to one lane. All lanes are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are 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. 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 www.GettingAroundIllinois.com .

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HARDIN — Today, Jennifer Wooldridge, State Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Coordinator and Deputy Director of Operations for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, issued the following statement on the life-saving impact of CIT training in law enforcement, as demonstrated recently by Sheriff William Heffington and Chief Deputy Zach Hardin of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office: "On May 5, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a severe disturbance near the intersection of Park Street and Main Street in Hardin. Authorities were told an individual intimidated another individual with an axe before fleeing the scene. "Within minutes, at about 3:37 p.m., Chief Deputy Zach Hardin located the individual, parked along Illinois River Road, still armed with a large axe. Sheriff William Heffington arrived to assist in what quickly escalated into a critical and complex situation. As school had just let out, a bus full of childre

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EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on July 28, 2025, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education discussed the 2023 Bond and three potential projects that could be completed using the money. Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton explained that there are three Phase 2 projects, and he wanted the Board to discuss these projects and let him know what information they needed to make a decision on which project to move forward with. He said the top priorities are updating certain playgrounds, followed by the gyms in Hamel and Columbus Elementary Schools, and then the Edwardsville High School Media Center. “There seems to be a super need for Hamel. We have asbestos,” said Board member Matt Breihan. “I go back to the Bond promises that were promised, and I realize you can’t tell the future and I realize you can’t tell where rates go and what happens. But the promises were made that we have enough money for all projects that

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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed another unconstitutional gun restriction into law this week. On Monday, Gov. Pritzker signed the so-called “Safe Gun Storage Act” into law. Senate Bill 8 imposes new mandates requiring gun owners to store firearms in locked containers when in the presence of minors, prohibited persons, or “at-risk” individuals. The bill is riddled with conflicting provisions and creates legal uncertainty for hunters, target shooters, and youth shooting clubs. State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) voted NO on Senate Bill 8, citing serious constitutional concerns for the rights of law-abiding gun owners. “Senate Bill 8 is an overreaching and unconstitutional restriction on the Second Amendment rights of responsible Illinois citizens,” Davidsmeyer said. “This law creates excessive and confusing firearm storage mandates, subjects law-abiding gun owners to stiff civil

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