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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Christopher Belt secured $550,000 to help Southwestern Illinois College build pathways to good-paying jobs in the construction and building trades in the Metro East. “We often talk about the importance of getting more people into the trades — but talk alone doesn’t build careers,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This funding will provide resources to train the next generation of skilled works right here in our community.” The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $19 million in grant funding through the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program to 38 organizations across the state. The purpose of the funding is to create more pathways for kids to access pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships, which provide greater opportunities to secure lifelong careers in the construction trades. In Belt’s district, Southwestern Illinois College will see a total of $550,000 to support

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Board voted to repeal an earlier decision denying Armoracia Solar a special use permit to develop a commercial solar energy facility in Collinsville. During the Board’s regular meeting on April 16, 2025, Chairman Chris Slusser explained that the Board voted on Feb. 19, 2025, to deny the special use permit, effectively stopping the development of the facility at the southeast corner of Interstate 55 and Pleasant Ridge Road in Collinsville. But since then, Slusser said Armoracia Solar has “made a lot of concessions.” Slusser, Board member Mick Madison and the State’s Attorney’s Office met with the company to talk through these conditions. Armoracia Solar will plant pine trees to shield the view of the solar farm from the nearby neighborhood. They will also develop a green space area to the west. Most of the project is also moving farther north. “They made a lot of concessions,” Slusser said. “They

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SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) to prevent school gun violence was unanimously passed by the Illinois House of Representatives last week. Davidsmeyer filed his legislation after hearing of an incident in his district where a student threatened to commit an act of gun violence against another student. The victim told the school staff about the incident, but they did not report it to the principal because it was just a threat. House Bill 1316 requires all school officials to immediately notify the principal’s office in the event of any threat of gun violence on school grounds. The principal shall attempt to notify the offending student’s parents as soon as possible so that the parents may ensure that the student does not have access to a firearm. “I don’t want to take any threats of violence lightly,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “My legislation will help prevent school gun violence while not

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EDWARDSVILLE - During the regular Madison County Board meeting on April 16, 2025, the Board voted 21–5 to oppose House Bill 2827, also known as the Homeschool Act. The Board voted for a nonbinding resolution titled “Defending Parental Rights in Education.” This resolution voices Madison County’s objection to HB2827 and asks the Illinois General Assembly to reject the bill. During the public comment period of the meeting, 13 Madison County residents spoke against HB2827 and urged the Board to vote in favor of the resolution opposing it. Speakers compared the bill to “a dictatorship” and “a slippery slope.” They expressed that the bill is unclear on what it would require from homeschool families, and they also brought up concerns about parental rights. “I’ve never been a big proponent of homeschool,” said Board member Paul Nicolussi. “I’ve never encouraged people to, but I think people should have the

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SPRINGFIELD – Following the decision by the Trump Administration to grant the request of certain Midwest states to opt out of an E10 RVP waiver, Illinois consumers faced a summer of higher prices and lower supply, had something not been done to address the looming deadline. Today, the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association issued the following statement of support for Governor Pritzker and the other Midwest Governors who signed the joint letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, asking any emergency E15 RVP waiver also apply to E10: “The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association thanks Governor Pritzker for his efforts to protect Illinois consumers, especially those in Southern Illinois who would have experienced supply issues and increased prices.” said Nate Harris, CEO and Vice President of the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association (IFRA). “Terminals in Norris City, Illinois and Cape Girardeau, Missouri were going to be under intense storage capacity issues dealing

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CHATHAM — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) hosted a town hall meeting at Chatham Glenwood High School. More than 370 constituents attended the event to ask questions, hear about Budzinski’s work in Congress, and share stories of the local impacts of the Trump administration’s policies. “Tonight, I had the opportunity to hear directly from people across Illinois’ 13th district – and their voices are top of mind. Every day that I’m in Washington, I’m fighting for them – to make groceries more affordable, childcare more accessible and healthcare more reliable. These are the issues that keep people up at night, and I hope tonight’s town hall made it clear that I’m focused on delivering real solutions,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Many attendees expressed deep concern about the chaotic shake ups coming out of the White House that threaten the services they rely on. I will never stop standing

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Did you know that nearly 30% of the waste thrown into household bins is organic material that could be composted? This staggering statistic highlights an often-overlooked opportunity to reduce landfill burden while enriching our gardens and communities. Starting a compost pile at home is more than just a method of waste disposal—it’s a practical, environmentally sound practice that delivers numerous benefits to individuals and the planet alike. Reducing Household Waste and Environmental Impact One of the most immediate benefits of home composting is the significant reduction in the volume of waste sent to landfills. Organic waste such as food scraps, vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings constitute a large portion of household garbage. When these materials end up in landfills, they decompose anaerobically (without oxygen), producing methane—a greenhouse gas over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. By diverting

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April 17th marks a day filled with events that have significantly shaped the course of history across various continents and cultures. Traveling back in time, April 17, 1492, saw Christopher Columbus receive official royal approval from Spain’s Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, to embark on his historic voyage across the Atlantic. This authorization set the stage for Columbus’s expedition later that year, which would lead to the European discovery of the Americas. While celebrated as a milestone in global exploration, the consequences of this encounter were complex and far-reaching, reshaping the world's demographic, cultural, and political landscapes in ways that continue to be discussed and debated today. In the realm of science and technology, April 17, 1961, marked a significant yet tragic moment during the Cold War when the Bay of Pigs Invasion began. This was a failed military invasion of Cuba undertaken by a CIA-sponsored paramilitary group of Cuban

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JERSEYVILLE – Jersey County has a new acting treasurer while an investigation concerning missing taxpayer funds continues into the county’s former treasurer. Jersey County Board members this month officially announced a vacancy in the Treasurer’s office after accepting the resignation of former treasurer Katie Abbey at last month’s board meeting. In Abbey’s absence, Chief Deputy Treasurer Becca Strang has been appointed to fill the vacancy and serve as acting treasurer. Strang has already been carrying out the office’s duties for months after Abbey took a “personal” leave of absence starting in October of 2024. Strang has been running the office with the help of former Treasurer Gilbert Ashlock, who now serves as a consultant. Strang’s appointment was recommended to the County Board by the Jersey County Republican Central Committee. Strang will serve as County Treasurer for the remainder of Abbey’s term, which expires

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ALTON - This weekend, Old Bakery Beer Company will host the 14th annual Riverbend Earth Day event, complete with vendors, live music, environmental education and more. From 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025, community members can stop by Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton for a day full of sustainable, environmental fun. Lauren with Old Bakery Beer Company expressed her excitement to welcome the community in. “It’s free to come. Enjoy the live music. See the environmental organizations,” Lauren said. “Of course, we’ll have beer and food and all that jazz available for purchase that day, as well.” Lauren explained that OBB previously served as the rainout location for the Riverbend Earth Day event. After hosting for several years in a row, they eventually took on the duties of sponsoring the event, too. On April 19, Beth Bombarra will provide live music from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by Universal Groove Society

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PONTOON BEACH – Two area men face the same set of charges after damaging and stealing money from a gaming machine in Pontoon Beach. Deontae T. Spates, 24, of Cottage Hills and Christopher F. DeBoise, 25, of East St. Louis, were each charged on April 9, 2025 with Class 3 felony counts of theft and misdemeanor counts of criminal property damage. On Jan. 30, 2025, the two allegedly caused damage to a gaming machine and stole between $500-$10,000 from the device. The machine was property of Accel Entertainment and located at a Conoco gas station and convenience store at 4086 Pontoon Road in Pontoon Beach. The Pontoon Beach Police Department presented both cases against Spates and DeBoise, both of whom were granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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EAST ALTON – Chris Stotts, owner of Advanced Wiring Solutions in East Alton, stopped by Our Daily Show! On Riverbender.com to share how he and the region’s business community came together in support of the Alton Boys & Girls Club after their facility was broken into earlier this month . Stotts said the break-in led to thousands of dollars in replacement costs for a window that was shattered during the incident. Shortly after the burglary unfolded, Stotts helped provide police with surveillance footage from the site, aiding the investigation. While the perpetrator stole an Xbox gaming console from the Boys & Girls Club, Stotts said another local business owner has since stepped in to replace the Xbox. This continues a tradition of local business support for the club after Hit-and-Run owners Dwight and Teresa Fowler donated some updated security cameras to the club in 2019, which were then installed for free by Stotts. However, Stotts said about 14 cameras on the

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ALTON – A man from Alton faces four domestic battery charges after strangling a witness who tried to stop him from strangling another victim. Aryion E. Sanders, 26, of Alton, was charged with two Class 2 felony counts of aggravated domestic battery and two Class 4 felony counts of domestic battery. Sanders allegedly strangled two household or family members on April 5, 2025. Among several prior charges of battery and more, he had previously been convicted of violating an Order of Protection in a Madison County case from 2024. A petition filed to deny his pretrial release states Sanders got into an altercation with the first victim, during which he strangled and threatened to kill them. When another household or family member witnessed the incident and attempted to intervene, Sanders ceased attacking the first victim and began strangling the second victim “before brandishing a knife.” The petition notes Sanders has repeatedly failed to appear in court, deeming hi

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EDWARDSVILLE - Ivy Hall Dispensary has a special plan to celebrate 4/20. On April 20, 2025 — the date commonly known as “4/20” in the cannabis community — Ivy Hall Dispensary at 6197 Old Alton Edwardsville Road in Edwardsville will offer deals, food and free Easter specials. Director of Marketing Jonny Boucher expressed his excitement for the event and encouraged everyone to come out and join in the fun. “4/20, the day of, is going to be bonkers,” Boucher said. “We are having some real fun.” Starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 20, the first 100 customers will receive a golden Easter egg. Each egg has a prize inside, from a $500 Visa gift card to Six Flags season passes and plenty of gift certificates for local restaurants, tattoo parlors and more. At 1 p.m., 200 customers will receive a free frozen Lou Malnati's pizza with every purchase. Boucher noted that this is especially exciting because it combines Ivy Hall’s roots

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ALTON – The statistics surrounding the incidence rate of lung cancer – nationally, state-wide, and locally – can literally take your breath away. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI): The United States lung cancer rates are 53.1/100,000 people The Illinois state average is 58.3/100,000 people When looking at statistics on a more local level, four (4) counties in and around the Riverbend region can be found in the top 40 within the state: Green County ranks 13th highest out of 102 counties at 89.3/100,000 people Macoupin Ranks 18th highest at 86.6 cases/100,000 people Jersey County ranks 35th highest at 77.3/100,000 people Madison County ranks 39th highest at 76.8/100,000 people “These statistics alone indicate that residents of these four counties are located in areas with a significantly higher rate of lung cancer compared to the United States and state of Illinois averages,” says Angela Halliday, Director of Oncology Services,

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ST. LOUIS, MO – After a five-year pause, Community Development Week is back in the City of St. Louis! The City’s Community Development Administration (CDA) is excited to relaunch this award-winning celebration of neighborhood revitalization and public service. From Monday, April 21, to Friday, April 25, 2025, CDA and its partners will host a full slate of walking tours, networking events, public workshops, and more—highlighting the people and programs transforming St. Louis. “We’re so excited to bring Community Development Week back for the first time since 2018,” said Nahuel Fefer, Executive Director of CDA. “Our team has grown significantly in recent years to administer COVID relief funds, more than doubling disbursement of federal funds and tripling the City’s affordable housing production pipeline. After everything our city has worked through during COVID, it means so much to celebrate progress together again.” CDA is a past

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JERSEYVILLE - JCH HealthCare recently made a donation to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of Jersey & Greene Counties through generous employee contributions. This non-profit organization plays a vital role in advocating for the best interests of children in the foster care system, and JCH HealthCare is proud to support their important work in the community.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Ruth Slenczynska, the last surviving pupil of composer-pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff, will be honored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville during the upcoming three-day Ruth Slenczynska Centennial Celebration . The weekend begins with a series of presentations about the renowned pianist's life, a piano master class and culminates with the celebration concert at Dunham Hall Theater. All events take place May 2–4, 2025. “Pianist Ruth Slenczynska has led an exceptional, accomplished musical life for 100 years,” shared Therese Dickman, Fine Arts Librarian and associate professor, Library and Information Services. “Notably, she performed public piano concerts between the ages of 4 to 96.” “She studied with some of the world’s most esteemed pianists and composers of the early 20th century. Among her many friends and acquaintances were world leaders (including five U.S. Presidents and the Empress of Japan), and she was a

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JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville city officials held a “workshop” meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 to discuss several ongoing and future capital improvement projects around the city – and possible ways to fund them. Mayor Kevin Stork said his intention with the meeting was to gather all department heads and form a mutual understanding on goals and plans to achieve them, including funding possibilities. No formal action was taken at the meeting, which was for discussion purposes only. T he City of Jerseyville has undertaken several capital improvement projects in recent years, with plans for several more over the next five to ten years. Among these are the recently remodeled City Hall, Police and Fire Department buildings , the construction of a splash pad and bathhouse at Wittman Park , ongoing and future street repairs, and several other ongoing and future park improvement projects around the city. To fund these projects,

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ALTON - After the death of Laura Kimbro’s son, she has written a book to share more about traumatic brain injuries and post-concussion syndrome depression. “Giving Light to Darkness” tells the story of Seth, Kimbro’s son, who experienced depression triggered by a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Seth ultimately died by suicide, and Kimbro is doing everything she can to inform people about post-concussion syndrome depression and how to heal. “I needed to be a voice for our son, and not only for our son, but for others who are going through it, for others that are in this unknown,” Kimbro explained. “I hope to share that you are not alone.” Following an accident, Seth had a long road of healing ahead of him. But Kimbro was pleased to see that he seemed to be on the right track. He was exercising, getting back to work, and making plans with his fiancé. But on the inside, he was struggling. He had good days and bad days,

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