Riverbender 🕸

GRANITE CITY – A convicted felon from Granite City faces several new felony charges related to weapons and drugs discovered during a traffic stop. Kenneth R. Nicol, 42, listed as homeless out of Granite City, was charged with the following: Armed violence (Class X felony) Unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender (Class X felony) Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (Class 1 felony) Unlawful possession of a stolen firearm (Class 2 felony) Felon in possession of a weapon (Class 3 felony) Felon in possession of a weapon (Class 3 felony) Felon in possession of a weapon (Class 3 felony) Unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class 3 felony) On Jan. 16, 2025, Nicol was allegedly found in possession of multiple firearms, including a Sig Sauer 1911 .45 caliber handgun, a Rami 9mm handgun, and a Taurus 9mm handgun. According to descriptions of the charges in this case, the Rami 9mm handgun had been stolen. Nicol’s

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In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin listed the critical programs – VAWA funding, veterans’ support, early education programs – that were throw n into chaos by the OMB memo that put a hold on federal funding WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor last night, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) denounced the Trump Administration’s decision to issue an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of trillions of dollars of Federal financial assistance,” which caused mass confusion about the funding and operations of hundreds of government-funded programs ranging from Medicaid, to Head Start, to Violence Against Women Act grants. Shortly before the federal funding freeze began, U.S. District Court Judge Loren L. Alikhan, who was confirmed under Durbin’s tenure as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, temporarily blocked the move by the Trum

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From engaging community initiatives like the Project Homeless Connect to fun-filled festivities such as Harry Potter Night at Skate City, the upcoming events in the Riverbend area offer a delightful variety that caters to all interests and ages. For a complete listing of these exciting happenings, be sure to visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ . Featured Winter Reading Retreat invites you to grab a book and your favorite sweater and head to Hayner Library at Alton Square Mall for the one-year anniversary of our reading retreat! While here, you can sip on hot cocoa, eat a snack, create your own winter scene in a jar, chat about books, and read too! You are welcome to bring your own drinks and treats as well. Not sure what to read? Clear up your “to be read” list, check out a library book before you join us, use this time to finish a super-long book you’ve been intimidated by, read a few short stories, or cycle through a few books four or five chapters at a

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FREEBURG — A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in Freeburg at 10:29 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, according to the Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8. The incident occurred on Illinois State Route 13, where a 2012 black Jeep Wrangler was traveling south when a 35-year-old male pedestrian from Freeburg entered the roadway. The vehicle struck the pedestrian, who sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a regional hospital. He was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The driver of the Jeep, a 31-year-old female also from Freeburg, reported no injuries at the scene. ISP is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, and no further information is available at this time.

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JERSEYVILLE - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and local leaders to announce Regional Site Readiness Program awards totaling $31 million to support site readiness activities at 24 sites across the state. The program includes two competitive funding opportunities: Planning grants to support due diligence activities, studies and site plans, and Capital Ready grants to support capital infrastructure improvements. Through this funding, 13 Planning grantees and 11 Capital Ready grantees will undertake due diligence and development projects to better prepared sites to attract future investment and new job opportunities in the industrial sector across Illinois’ Economic Development Regions. “Readiness planning, assessments, infrastructure improvements – these things are all the fundamental work that must be done for businesses and investments to flourish and jobs to grow across the state,” said Governo

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), today introduced the Mentoring to Succeed Act in recognition of January as National Mentoring Month. U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), and Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) introduced companion legislation in the House earlier this week. This legislation creates a strong, sustainable support system through mentorship to ensure that children who experience barriers like poverty, disability, adverse childhood experiences, or drug or alcohol abuse, can successfully transition to high school, college, and the workforce. The Mentoring to Succeed Act would strengthen investments in mentorship programs to help youth facing risk develop the academic, social, and workforce skills that lead to success. “Across Illinois and the country, young kids, especially from underserved communities, fac

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EDWARDSVILLE - Jazz artists from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Concert Jazz Band and four featured SIUE alumni will take the stage in both Edwardsville and midtown St. Louis in February for two stellar evenings. Opening night on the Edwardsville campus will precede “An Evening with the Chancellor at Jazz St. Louis.” The Edwardsville concert will also feature the inaugural Brett Stamps Jazz Alumni Award. Performances are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. Alumni musicians scheduled to appear include saxophonist and organist Austin Cebulske (’12), jazz pianist Kara Baldus-Mehrmann (’03, ’05), bassist and Grammy nominee Nick Jost (’08, ’12) and drummer Marty Morrison (’09, ’12). “I’m beyond thrilled to return to SIUE, a place that was so crucial to my development as a musician and pivotal in my career as an educator,” said Cebulske, who teaches

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois, Alton YWCA, and Hayner Public Library District are hosting two Seed Swaps this winter to provide community members with a space to swap and share quality seeds, cuttings, and bulbs. Join fellow farmers and gardeners in celebration of the start of the spring gardening season at this community event, which is free and open to all. The first seed swap will be held at the Alton YWCA on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 from 12 to 2 p.m. To register for the first Seed Swap at the Alton YWCA, visit https://sc.org/seedswap-YWCA . The second seed swap will be held at the Downtown Alton location of the Hayner Library on Saturday, March 8 from 12 to 2 p.m. To register for the Seed Swap at the Hayner Library, visit https://sc.org/seedswap-library . If you are sharing self-collected seeds, please label the homegrown seeds with the common or species name, year, and your name. If you are sharing commercial seed packets, there is no need to label the

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt will serve as the chair of the Senate Appropriations-Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee for the 104th General Assembly. “My number one focus is to hold the line on funding for law enforcement and gun violence prevention,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We need to make public safety a priority, and I will advocate for state spending to reflect that.” Prior to serving in the Illinois Senate, Belt enjoyed an 18-year career as a law enforcement officer. He spent 16 years with the St. Clair County Probation and Detention Center and two years as the regional deputy administrator of aftercare for the central and southern regions of Illinois. Since taking office, Belt has passed laws to advance public safety, develop pre-apprenticeship programs across the state and secure funding to upgrade roads and bridges. Under Belt’s leadership, the Illinois State Police saw historic funding to hire and train 200 new

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EDWARDSVILLE - Donzaleigh Abernathy , acclaimed activist and author, goddaughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., delivered a heartfelt keynote at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 42nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. The celebration included the presentation of SIUE’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards, moving performances by the SIUE Gospel Choir, the SIUE East St. Louis Performing Arts Program, and the SIUE Black Theatre Workshop. Student Body President Barrett Larkin and Black Student Union President Peyton Gamble helped host the event, introducing speakers and award presentations. Abernathy’s poignant childhood memories of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and her parents, Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy and Juanita Jones Abernathy, brought the audience closer in time to the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. An award ceremony took place before Abernathy’s address. The annual Dr. Martin Luther Kin

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ALTON - As the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education gears up for the consolidated election on April 1, 2025, Board of Education candidate Jason Harrison shared more about his goals if elected. There are four Board of Education seats up for grabs in ACUSD11. Harrison and five other candidates are hoping to fill those seats. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , Harrison explained that his first goal is to advocate for those who need it. “One of the main things, I want to be a voice to those who feel like they don’t have a voice, whether that’s educators, whether that’s parents or whether even that’s students,” he explained. “I want to bring some innovation to the team. I’m familiar with AI. I’m familiar with STEAM, science, technology, engineering, arts, math. It’s so relevant to where we are now and to where jobs are going to be.” As a business

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JERSEYVILLE - February is Library Lovers Month and what better way to show YOUR love than to participate in the Friends of the Library’s Disney Trivia Night Fundraiser? The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jerseyville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with Trivia starting at 6:30 p.m. Tables are $200 (with room for up to 10 people per table) and you are welcome to bring your own food with drinks available in-house. There will be basket raffles, 50/50 and Heads or Tails. Children are welcome if they are part of a team. If you have any questions, or would like to register, call Chris Maness at 618-946-3005. Space is limited. No registrations will be accepted at the Library or on Facebook. All proceeds will go to the Children’s Discovery Zone as part of the Library expansion. It is not required, but you are welcome to dress up in your Disney finest, just for fun! The StoryWalk® book has been changed out for February and all ar

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O’FALLON - Schnuck Markets, Inc. announced that starting next week a total store remodel will begin at its Seven Hills store located at 970 East Highway 50 in O’Fallon, Illinois (62269). Highlights of the remodel will include: ? New Starbucks coffee shop with updated outdoor seating area ? Relocated and renovated meat and seafood departments ? New fresh sushi area ? Renovated and expanded deli and produce departments ? New specialty cheese shop ? New Picadeli salad bar ? Relocated and renovated floral department ? Updated bakery displays ? New décor additions throughout the store “We’re anxious to bring our customers a better and brighter grocery shopping experience,” said Schnucks Seven Hills Store Manager Matt Bruhn. “During the remodel, our team is committed to delivering the same top level of customer service that our shoppers have come to expect from Seven Hills teammates over the years.” Schnucks acquired the 60,000-square-foot

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ALTON - New Frontiers Home & Garden Furnishings Company will celebrate its 47th anniversary with a major sale starting Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, and running through the month. Located at 101 W. 3rd Street in Alton, New Frontiers is a full-line furniture store that has had quite a history over the past 47 years. Owner Ed Benz said it feels good to celebrate this milestone, and he is proud of how the business has grown over the decades. “A lot of customers can’t believe that this is the same store, the same owners. It’s pretty rewarding when you talk to people and they bought stuff years and years ago,” Benz said. “We’ve got a loyal customer base. The anniversary sale is just our way of thanking everybody in the community because we could have never done it without them.” When New Frontiers started in 1978, it was an unfinished wood furniture store. They eventually broadened their offerings to finished pieces and soft goods like sofas. Th

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A reflection from David C. Guth, Jr., Centerstone CEO: "Each year, I have the distinct pleasure of reflecting on our organization’s accomplishments and the opportunities that lie before us. This is a time to honor our dedicated team of professionals and express gratitude to our patients for trusting us with their care. We are truly at an inflection point within the behavioral health profession – enjoying bipartisan support, a tremendous reduction in stigma, and an unbelievable increase in demand for care, while also facing the impact of epidemics regarding opioid addiction and deaths by suicide. I’m immensely grateful to our teams who have effectively and compassionately navigated this past year, in which we have experienced more demand for mental health services than ever before. This ever-increasing demand, coupled with a challenging labor market, has created a tough situation for our industry, yet our staff has pulled together and supported patients and each

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DU QUOIN – Looking for a way to brighten dull winter days and create some excitement for summer? Look no further than the Du Quoin State Fair. Carnival wristbands, which offer one full day of unlimited rides, are on sale now through August 21, 2025, for only $25. Once the fair begins on August 22, wristbands will sell for $30 for weekdays and $35 for weekends. “The Du Quoin State Fair is a fun and affordable way to make memories with your family,” said Luke Davison, Du Quoin State Fair Manager. “Stock up now and treat the kids to unlimited rides and quality family time this summer.” Purchase Online : authentigate.tickets/store/NAME/1185 Purchase In Person: Starting Monday, January 27, wristbands will be available for purchase in person at the Du Quoin State Fair administrative office (655 Executive Drive) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Questions? Please call (618) 542-1515. The 2025 Du Quoin State Fair will take place August 22

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus has several events coming up for older adults to enjoy. Located at 2603 North Rodgers Avenue in Alton, SSP offers many fitness classes, personal training options, assistance programs and more. They have a special panel discussion about scams planned for 12 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, followed by their annual Speed Connections event scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. The Consumer Fraud Panel, sponsored by AARP Illinois, will discuss common scams to watch out for. Marsha Griffin, Community Outreach Liaison for Office of the Illinois Attorney General, and Scott Verseman, Fraud & Corruption Section Chief for the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois, will be on hand at SSP to answer questions and provide information about common consumer scams. “They’re going to come in, give you advice, what to avoid, what to watch out for,” explained Leslie, a representative with SSP. “They’ve

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon residents will have a new “freaky fast” food option in the near future, as the village welcomes a future Jimmy John's location to Meridian Plaza. The new sub stop will serve as a core tenant occupying the corner space of a multi-business building slated for development in Meridian Plaza. In addition to drive-thru and pickup windows for Jimmy John's, renderings of the building show spaces for two smaller retail stores, though exactly which businesses will occupy them has not yet been announced. The multi-business building will be constructed in Lot 7 towards the northwestern corner of Meridian Plaza, near the intersection of North Meridian Road and Magnolia Drive. Community Development Director Erika Heil wrote in a memo to Mayor Bob Marcus and Village Administrator Jamie Bowden that MKSK Holdings will oversee construction of the 5,700 square-foot building. 33 new parking spaces, including two spaces compliant with the Americans with Disabilitie

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Greg Chamberlain has been recognized with the Outstanding Citizen Award for his exceptional contributions to the Fairview Heights Police Department (FHPD) through the SILEC/SIPCA program. The award was presented in acknowledgment of Chamberlain's dedication to community service and law enforcement engagement. Chamberlain is a definite Difference Maker in his community. Chamberlain's involvement with the Fairview Heights Police began in 2021 when he participated in a Stop the Bleed class taught by the department. His enthusiasm for community engagement was evident from the start, leading him to enroll in the Citizen's Police Academy shortly after. Upon graduating from the academy, he quickly joined the agency's Volunteers in Policing program, where he has since made a significant impact. Fairview Heights Police officials said Chamberlain is a familiar presence at department events and training sessions, consistently offering assistance with a positive demeanor. His

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ALTON — Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford confirmed a 16-year-old male was shot in Alton on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, prompting an immediate response from local law enforcement and emergency services. At approximately 8:11 p.m. Tuesday, the Alton Police Department received a report of a shooting in the 2100 block of State Street. Chief Ford said officers arrived on the scene and found the teenager suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He received initial treatment from the Alton Fire Department before being transported to an area hospital. Ford added that subsequently, the injured teen was transferred to a hospital in St. Louis for further care. "Preliminary investigations indicate that the individuals involved in the incident are known to each other and that this was not a random act of violence," Ford said. Authorities have identified the suspect but have not yet located him. Ford also stated there was no ongoing threat to the public because of the shooting. T

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