Riverbender 🕸

CHICAGO — While two fortunate Powerball ® players from Missouri and Texas matched all six numbers in Saturday night’s historic drawing to share the record-setting $1.787 billion jackpot, several Illinois Lottery players are also celebrating big wins. The winning numbers for the game’s second-largest jackpot were: 11-23-44-61-62 and the Powerball 17. Two lucky Illinois players each won $1 million after matching five numbers. One winning Powerball ticket was purchased at Skokie Citgo, located at 5343 Touhy Ave. in Skokie, while the other winning ticket was purchased through the Illinois Lottery app. In addition, four players won $100,000 each after matching four numbers and the Powerball, plus the game’s Power Play ® feature. And five players won $50,000 each by matching four numbers and the Powerball. The Powerball roll began on June 2, 2025, and in that time, nearly 1.7 million winning tickets have been sold, and over $20 million in prizes were

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CARLINVILLE — A Carlinville man was charged with violating an order of protection after allegedly entering a protected property on September 2, 2025. Kyle W. Bennett, 38, of Carlinville, is accused of violating an order of protection that was filed in 2024. According to the complaint, Bennett entered a home in Carlinville that he was legally prohibited from entering under the terms of the order. Bennett was formally charged on September 3, 2025, following the alleged incident. Authorities have not released further details regarding the circumstances of the violation. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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BRIGHTON - Local florist Leanne’s Pretty Petals wants the world to know that they’re not who you think they are. Located in Brighton, Leanne’s Pretty Petals was recently mistaken for LeAnn’s Local Petals, a shop in Kentucky that has faced criticism for allegedly mishandling the firing of an employee according to a TikTok video. Due to the confusion, Leanne’s Pretty Petals in Brighton has seen an influx of negative comments and reviews. Owner Leanne Muenstermann asks community members to speak up to clear up the confusion and improve their ratings. “With all this that’s been going on, the people that have reached out to me has just been very humbling,” Muenstermann said. “It makes me cry to think about it, how they’ve all come out and said, ‘You don’t deserve this, and we support you, and we’re glad that you’re here.’ It’s just been really humbling, and I’m grateful for them.”

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CARLINVILLE - An acclaimed writer and journalist will present a free, one-hour program at the Carlinville Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m. Walt Harrington of Carlinville, a former journalist at The Washington Post Magazine, will discuss his 2022 book, The Detective: And Other True Stories . “It’s a collection of eight of my in-depth, narrative non-fiction articles from The Washington Post Magazine,” remarked Harrington. “I’ll talk about where the ideas came from, how the stories were done, and what subjects thought of their stories.” Harrington will also read excerpts from some of his stories, to demonstrate his style and approach. He will also sign books. The recipient of numerous journalism awards, Harrington authored profiles of Rosa Parks, Carl Bernstein, Jesse Jackson, Rita Dove, and President George H.W. Bush. He also penned numerous in-depth accounts for the Post of ordinary people who live extraordinary lives. Harringto

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GRANITE CITY — The Granite City Police Department has welcomed Freddy Edwards back after he graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy and is preparing to begin field training with the department. Edwards, a Granite City High School alumnus and former college football player at Culver-Stockton, officially joined the department and will start his formal law enforcement training in the coming months. In addition to his new role in law enforcement, Edwards has been added to the Granite City High School football coaching staff as an assistant under head coach Steve Roustio. Edwards is one of the most multi-dimensional athletes to ever hail from Granite City High School and is now preparing to give back to his community in law enforcement and as an assistant football coach at Granite City High School, mentoring young athletes. Granite City High School Athletic Director John Moad has praised Edwards’ contributions both on and off the field. “Freddie

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) issued the following statement after U.S. Steel management alerted Granite City Works that, by October, they will no longer be receiving slabs. This comes after the Nippon Steel deal to acquire U.S. Steel failed to include any assurances or investment for Granite City Works. “Once again, President Trump has turned his back on America’s working men and women – and today, no community feels that betrayal more deeply than Granite City. Workers there have just been notified that, come October, no more slabs will be delivered to the mill, drastically impacting their operations. “Back in 2018, President Trump came to Granite City to boast about the supposed revival of American steel manufacturing. Now, he’s sold U.S. Steel to a foreign company and has put the very jobs he claimed to be saving on the chopping block. “Granite City Works deserved more than empty

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Grandparents Day at James Avant Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189 on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, brought students and their grandparents together for a day filled with celebration and connection. The event honored the important role grandparents play in the lives of students, providing inspiration and support. Throughout the day, students, known as Thundercats, shared hugs, smiles, stories and special moments with their grandparents, creating memories intended to last a lifetime, East St. Louis School District 189 said in a statement. The district expressed its gratitude to all the grandparents and family members who attended, recognizing their presence as a vital part of the school community. The celebration underscored the district’s commitment to fostering strong family ties and support networks for its students.

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ALTON – Local authorities have charged residents of Alton and Highland in separate but similar cases of home repair fraud involving elderly victims. Austin T. Frasier, 28, of Alton, was charged on Sept. 5, 2025 with one count each of aggravated home repair fraud and theft of property by deception from an elderly person (both Class 2 felonies), as well as a violation of the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act (a Class A misdemeanor). On March 1, 2025, Frasier allegedly entered into a fraudulent contract with an elderly victim to perform roof repairs on her Granite City home using new roofing materials. Frasier reportedly entered into the $8,259.26 contract knowing he had no intention of performing the work. In addition to stealing over $8,200 from the elderly victim, Frasier also allegedly represented himself as a roofing contractor without being properly licensed as required under the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Frasier’s case was presented b

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EAST ALTON — The 30th annual East Alton Soapbox Derby took place Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, drawing a sizable crowd to Berkshire Boulevard under clear skies. The event began with the National Anthem and a silent prayer to honor those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Several area fire trucks and police cars paraded down Berkshire Hill with sirens wailing, setting the stage for the races. Racers paired off to navigate the course lined with safety cones, finishing amid hay bales. “This is awesome and the best day of my life,” one young racer said. The East Alton Fire Department sold its popular pulled pork, adding to the event’s offerings. Alongside the races, attendees enjoyed food, drinks, an inflatable obstacle course, and new this year, race cars on display for children to explore. Longtime attendees noted that the favorable weather contributed to a strong turnout for the annual community gathering.

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BRIGHTON - A motorcycle was struck by a car at 7:29 a.m. Monday on Crystal Lake Road just east of Grange Hall Road in Brighton, resulting in a head injury to the motorcyclist, authorities said. The victim, a 38-year-old man, was riding the motorcycle when he was hit by a car driven by an 18-year-old male, according to Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns. Sheriff Manns said the injured motorcyclist was flown to St. Louis University Hospital for treatment. “We do not believe it is a life-threatening injury,” Sheriff Manns added. The circumstances leading to the collision remain under investigation.

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ALTON - Keith Short isn’t like most attorneys. Short, of Keith Short and Associates, P.C., in Alton, regularly tries his cases in front of a jury — and wins. He works hard for his clients to help them with injury and workers’ compensation cases. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , Short reflected on his career and shared more about his 30 years of experience as a local attorney. “I’ve tried probably more jury trials than anyone I know,” Short said. “I did five last year. Most lawyers don’t do five in their whole career.” Short explained that jury trials are becoming increasingly rare. It’s much more common to settle. As a result, Short regularly sees lawyers who have never been in the courtroom before. He encourages people to do their research when choosing an attorney, especially if they think it might go to trial. “People don’t realize how few trials actuall

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CASEYVILLE — The Caseyville Police Department announced the arrest and charging of two men in connection with a series of burglaries and thefts targeting local businesses between May and September 2025. On September 5, officers apprehended Jerry L. B. McCallister, 39, of Granite City, and Gabriel E. Valades-Gonzalez, 25, of State Park-Collinsville, following a vehicle pursuit and investigation into multiple break-ins. The arrests came after months of coordinated efforts by Caseyville officers, detectives, and the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. The investigation began with a burglary reported at Bobby’s on the Rocks, 1050 South Main Street, on May 7, 2025. Two male suspects forced entry overnight, stealing merchandise, cash, and money from gaming machines. On September 2, 2025, Triple J Towing at 1880 Black Lane reported a burglary and theft, with surveillance footage capturing the suspects. The following day, officers responded to a forced entry and theft from three

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JERSEY - Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 recently recognized Abby Chin, a senior and Adobe intern, for her innovative bulletin board design at Jersey Community High School. Chin’s work, which now enhances a hallway at the school, was publicly acknowledged by the district. The design project reflects a collaboration between the student’s internship experience and the school environment. The district expressed gratitude for Chin’s contribution, highlighting the positive impact of student involvement in school improvement efforts.

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EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC), in partnership with Lewis and Clark Community College, is proud to announce the 23rd Annual Water Festival. This year’s festival is set for Friday, Sept. 26, with a scheduled rain date of Friday, Oct. 3, on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey. More than 900 area fifth-grade students will take part in a full day of hands-on activities designed to inspire curiosity about water, wildlife and the environment, helping students to understand water’s vital role in shaping nature, supporting wildlife and sustaining everyday lives. While Water Festival is focused on providing an immersive learning experience for local schools, each year NGRREC invites new schools to participate*. The 2025 Water Festival will welcome students from a dozen area schools: Academic Development Institute - Lincoln, Ill. C.A. Henning Elementary School – Troy, Ill. Calhoun Elementary –

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GODFREY - Patty’s Petals is a family business that aims to make your special occasion even more memorable. Located at 3104 Godfrey Road in Godfrey, the business offers custom floral designs. They specialize in weddings and funerals, but offer a wide variety of gifts and displays for any occasion. Missy Seymour and Tara Trent, who run the business alongside their mother, noted that they are proud to be a part of the family’s legacy and provide flowers for people throughout the Riverbend region. “We are a very close-knit family, so we do a lot together anyway,” Trent said. “Being able to work together on a daily basis — families all have their things, but we seem to work through it.” Trent and Seymour shared that the fall season is their favorite, especially because there are many weddings during the upcoming fall months. They enjoy preparing flowers for weddings and helping to make a special day even more memorable. They noted that

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EDWARDSVILLE – With the publicity still fresh surrounding Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s fall enrollment growth despite challenging national trends, SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, gave an encouraging address, thanking students, faculty, staff, and administrators for achieving the monumental feat. Minor delivered the University Budget Update on Thursday, Sept. 4 in the SIUE Morris University Center’s Legacy Room to a crowded audience. Minor opened his remarks by applauding a “community of educators” who exceeded expectations, reflected in a balanced budget projected for FY26 – the first in eight years. All SIUE’s work and business, Minor repeated his favorite refrain, must be tied to the mission of the institution, which begins with being “student-centered.” He reiterated the goals for graduation rates, according to the University’s strategic plan. SIUE has seen an increase in numbers in recent years,

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CALHOUN COUNTY — On the morning of August 19, 2025, a two-vehicle crash with injuries occurred near the intersection of Mississippi River Road and Rose Lane in Golden Eagle, Calhoun County, Illinois. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the incident at approximately 9:11 a.m. The Point Fire Protection District was the first to respond to the scene, followed by Chief Deputy Zach Hardin and two ambulances dispatched by Calhoun County Volunteer EMS. Injured individuals received treatment on site before being transported to area hospitals for further care. Following an investigation, Justin J. Seivers, 44, of Meppen, Illinois, was arrested in connection with the crash. He faces charges including aggravated DUI – third or subsequent offense, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic syringe, and DUI involving drugs. Seivers was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s

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Did you know that nearly 77% of people report feeling overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities during peak work periods? As schedules tighten and obligations pile up, the risk of burnout increases significantly. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in the fall, when professional demands, academic pressures, and personal commitments often converge. Amidst this whirlwind, the practice of self-care emerges not as a luxury but as an essential strategy for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Why Self-Care Is Essential in Busy Seasons In high-pressure periods, individuals often prioritize tasks and deadlines over personal health. This tendency can trigger a cascade of negative effects, including elevated stress levels, diminished productivity, and impaired decision-making. Self-care acts as a buffer that mitigates these risks. It restores energy, sharpens focus, and enhances resilience, enabling individuals to navigate their responsibilities more effectively.

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Did you know that gardens prepared thoughtfully in the fall can yield up to 30% more robust growth and healthier plants in the spring? This increase isn't just a matter of chance—it’s the result of intentional care during a critical period often overlooked by casual gardeners. Preparing your garden for the fall season is an investment in your landscape’s future vitality. By implementing targeted strategies now, you can ensure that your garden not only survives the dormant months but emerges thriving and ready to flourish. Assessing and Cleaning Your Garden Space Before the garden beds are covered with frost or the last leaves have fallen, it's essential to give your garden a thorough once-over. Removing dead plants, spent annuals, and fallen debris reduces the risk of pests and diseases that can overwinter and damage your plants next season. For example, powdery mildew spores and certain fungal infections often linger on decaying plant matter. Practical tip: Use

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What if the secret to improving your focus, reducing stress, and enhancing your overall well-being could be unlocked in just a few minutes each day? Mindfulness, the practice of paying deliberate attention to the present moment without judgment, is more than a buzzword—it’s a scientifically supported approach to living that many overlook amid busy schedules. Incorporating mindfulness into daily life may seem daunting, but with intentional steps, it can become a natural and rewarding habit. Understanding Mindfulness and Its Benefits Mindfulness is often misunderstood as simply “relaxing” or “meditating,” but it encompasses a broader awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings. Research by the American Psychological Association highlights that mindfulness-based practices can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve attention spans, and even enhance immune function. A landmark study published in JAMA Internal Medicine

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