Riverbender 🕸

August 30 and 31 mark days of significant moments across history, touching on global events that have shaped politics, culture, science, and society. On August 30, 2005, Hurricane Katrina was moving inland after devastating the Gulf Coast of the United States, particularly New Orleans. The storm, one of the deadliest and costliest in U.S. history, left thousands homeless and caused widespread destruction. The failures in levee systems and emergency response exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure and government preparedness, prompting worldwide reflection on disaster management. The global community watched closely as rescue and recovery efforts unfolded over the following days and weeks. International aid and expertise were mobilized, while the U.S. government faced intense scrutiny for the delays and logistical challenges that exacerbated human suffering. This event highlighted the importance of coordinated emergency protocols, transparent communication, and investment in resilient

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EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis School District 189 held its first Mobile Pantry event of the 2025-2026 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at Gordon Bush Elementary School, providing food and essential items to 100 families in the community. The mobile pantry event featured participation from students and staff who helped distribute donated goods. State Representative Kevin Schmidt attended the event and made a donation to support the district’s ongoing community outreach efforts. The East St. Louis School District 189 said the Mobile Pantry program is designed to assist families in need within the district by supplying necessary resources. The district highlighted the collaborative nature of the event and the positive impact of community involvement. The next Mobile Pantry event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at Gordon Bush Elementary School. Community members seeking more information or with questions are encouraged to contact pantry coordinator

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – HSHS Medical Group Family Medicine - Fairview Heights welcomes Kara Littlejohn, APRN, a board-certified nurse who is a dedicated and compassionate family nurse practitioner with extensive clinical experience in home health, outpatient care and gastroenterology. She has more than 15 years of previous experience as a physical therapist assistant, bringing a comprehensive and holistic approach to patient care. Littlejohn earned her Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Her clinical skills include advanced health assessments, specialized wound care, chronic disease management and interdisciplinary collaboration. Littlejohn emphasizes preventive health care and patient education to empower individuals in managing their own health and wellness. To schedule an appointment with Littlejohn at HSHS Medical Group Family Medicine - Fairview Heights at 5 Ludwig Drive in Fairview Heights, please call

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ALTON - Celebrate the love of the bean – the coffee bean that is – over the next two months during the Great Rivers & Routes Javapalooza. Latte lovers and coffee connoisseurs can sample a variety of specialty coffees created just for this coffee-centric event which runs from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. A total of sixteen locally owned and operated coffee shops throughout southwest Illinois are taking part in this annual event which focuses on the bean and the shops that create the local brews. Participating shops are showing off their coffee skills by creating a featured signature drink. And to sweeten the pot, visitors who stop by participating businesses have the opportunity to win coffee themed prizes. People who visit local participating coffee shops can scan a QR code and enter a contest for a chance to win three different prizes. Three winners will be chosen at random from the entries and prizes include: 1st Place – At-Home Espresso Machine and a $200

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ALTON – OSF Home Health at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a “Superior Performer” for achieving an overall patient experience score that ranked in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2024 calendar year. The annual SHPBest™ award program was created to acknowledge home health agencies that consistently provide high quality service to their patients. The 2024 award recipients were determined by reviewing and ranking the overall experience score for more than 3,200 home health providers. With the largest HHCAHPS benchmark in the nation, SHP is in a unique position to identify and recognize organizations that have made patient experience a priority and have been rewarded for their efforts with high marks on the HHCAHPS survey. “SHP recognizes how much hard work is involved in providing excellent patient care, and we are proud to acknowledge the tireless

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GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of throwing a billiard ball at a Madison County Sheriff’s deputy and more now faces criminal charges. Ronald L. Jones, 34, of Granite City, was charged on Aug. 25, 2025 with one count each of aggravated assault of a peace officer, firefighter or EMS (a Class 4 felony) and resisting a peace officer (a Class A misdemeanor). On Aug. 23, 2025, Jones allegedly knowingly and without legal justification threw a billiard ball at a Madison County Sheriff’s deputy while they were performing their official duties. Jones is additionally accused of fleeing on foot from the same officer in an attempt to resist his lawful arrest. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office presented the case against Jones, who was ordered released from custody pending trial. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Today, Edwardsville Children's Museum (ECM) announces its participation in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play on September 27, 2025. As a day dedicated to experiencing joyful learning through play, this event is focused on getting kids and their families up, out, and playing around. ECM will participate in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play by hosting an event on September 27 focused on play. From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., kids will be challenged to play in all of the ECM exhibits by completing a scavenger hunt of activities throughout the museum – including a special, one-day SLIME! zone. All young adventurers who complete the mission will get to choose a prize courtesy of ECM. Worldwide Day of Play activities are free for ECM members and with paid admission for non-members. “Play is a powerful experience that enriches people’s lives in museums, schools, homes, and beyond,” states Arthur G. Affleck, III, executive director of the Associatio

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COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville High School Latin teacher James Stark has been named the recipient of the Charles Humphreys Award for Innovative Pedagogy by the American Classical League, the organization announced recently. The American Classical League, a professional group dedicated to promoting the study of classical civilization across the United States and Canada, recognizes educators who advance the teaching and learning of Greek and Latin languages, literatures, and cultures. Stark expressed his enthusiasm about receiving the honor, saying, "The American Classical League has the largest number of Latin teachers as members among the Classical associations in the US, so I'm thrilled to be the recipient." The award citation highlights Stark’s impact on Latin education: "James Stark, who is shaping not only how students learn — but how they all belong in Latin studies. Stark creates a classroom where Latin is vibrant, accessible, and timeless. His commitment to equity i

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP in St. Louis and the St. Clair County Transit District have released the proposed design concept – developed by local architecture firm Trivers – for the Transit Stop Transformation at MetroBus Stop #13101, located in the retail corridor of East St. Louis in front of Walgreens at 2510 State Street. The design features a modern bus shelter, added seating, lighting, wayfinding, green space and more. Transit riders, area residents, elected officials and other stakeholders are being asked to provide feedback on the proposed design concept via a quick online survey accessible at www.CMT-STL.org . “These projects are community-based initiatives,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “Local feedback is essential to ensuring the transformation meets the needs, wants and pulse of the community. We thank everyone in advance taking the survey.” Insights gained fro

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SAUK VILLAGE – Today, Governor Pritzker joined Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent of Education, to celebrate the start of the 2025-26 school year with students and staff at Wagoner Elementary School in Community Consolidated Schools District (CCSD) 168 in Sauk Village. The Governor highlighted Illinois’ continued record investments in education, which are strengthening school communities, supporting teachers, and expanding opportunities for students from preschool through high school. “I am thrilled to visit the students, teachers, and administrators at Wagoner Elementary to celebrate another school year. Being here today, I am reminded of the promise we make to our children to give them the support, resources, and foundation to work hard and get ahead. In Illinois, we back those promises with action,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “When we invest in our schools, we build stronger and safer communities, we secure our long-term economic future, and we

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GODFREY – Resurrection Lutheran Church of Godfrey will host a free Carbon Monoxide Installation Event to coincide with National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 5–11, 2025. Local volunteers have continued to partner with the Godfrey Fire Protection District and the Alton Fire Department to install new 10-year UL-Listed carbon monoxide detectors in approved homes. UL-Listed means it meets important safety standards according to the National Fire Protection Association. As a self-funded nonprofit, the association strives to help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, and passion. Sharon Groh, Resurrection volunteer, says this is the third installation event held by the church and partner volunteers. The next installation is scheduled for Oct. 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. To qualify, the applicant must be a homeowner living in Alton or Godfrey. Nearby community homeowners will be considered on an individual basis. If you would like a carbon monoxide device

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SPRINGFIELD - Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration: Illinois Workforce and Innovation Board Daniel Serota will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Workforce and Innovation Board.* As Vice President of Government and Public Affairs at Aon, a leading global professional services firm, Serota creates meaningful and sustainable connections with a wide variety of stakeholders to further Aon’s public service mission and community outreach activities. With over a decade of experience in this role, he leads public policy and political initiatives for Aon at the federal, state, and regulatory level, and he directs Aon’s Political Action Committee. He also empowers the Latino Professional Network within Aon as Executive Sponsor. Serota has garnered recognition from some of the top leadership groups in Chicago, including Crain’s Chicago Business’ 40 Under

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CHICAGO AND WASHINGTON, DC — The League of Women Voters of Chicago, League of Women Voters of Illinois and League of Women Voters of the US issued the following joint statement in response to the threat of deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. “The President has once again threatened to deploy the National Guard with a rationale of lies—this time to Chicago—against the wishes of local and state officials and the general public. “The League of Women Voters stands with Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson, and echoes the position that there is no justification for this action. Chicago is not experiencing any emergency that requires federal force. The President's threats are nothing more than bullying and retaliation against an American city and a sovereign state for not bowing to his personal agenda. “We've seen in DC and Los Angeles how the presence of federal troops does nothing to make residents and businesses safer. Terror an

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced today a new program that will grant funds to clean up cemeteries that have been abandoned, neglected, or are otherwise in need of additional care. Units of local government and not-for-profit organizations (including, but not limited to, not-for-profit cemetery authorities) are eligible to apply for ten Cemetery Relief Fund Grants that will be issued yearly. Each grant, valued up to $20,000, is supported by funding allocated in the FY26 state budget signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker . Applicants may apply by completing and submitting the application found online here . The deadline to apply is October 24, 2025. “Cemeteries hold deep historical and emotional significance for local communities, and it is vital they are properly maintained for future generations to honor and remember their loved ones,” said IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. “This program will hel

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ALTON - Sparks Hauling and Junk Removal is growing, and owner Denise Sparks shared that she is in the process of getting a trash compactor at her building at 2201 East Broadway in Alton. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , Sparks explained that she wants a trash compactor to cut her costs at the landfill and increase her services. She encouraged anyone who wants to know more about her business or her plans to stop by her building or give her a call, adding that it’s a clean, well-run building. “You could probably eat off my warehouse floor,” she said. “You can walk by my facility at any time and it’s spotless. You can come inside, look at my warehouse. It’s spotless. I run a tight ship. You can look inside my fence and it’s spotless. My dumpsters, everything. I have nothing to hide. I’m about as transparent as anybody is going to get.” Sparks said there has been some confusion

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ALTON - The Alton Expo promises another fun weekend on the riverfront. From Sept. 4–7, 2025, community members can enjoy carnival rides, food vendors, games, live music and more fun at the Alton Amphitheater. Admission to the Expo is free, and Riverbend residents are encouraged to come out and enjoy the weekend. “We think we’re going to have a pretty big crowd on the riverfront,” said Dan Herkert, Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair. “It’s really just turned into another chance for the community to come together. It’s a lot of family fun. It’s a safe opportunity and a positive opportunity to show off our community and our riverfront.” On Thursday, Sept. 4, the Expo opens from 5–10 p.m. and CLUless performs from 7–10 p.m. The carnival opens from 5–11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5. DJ She BEATz will spin tunes from 5:30–7:30 p.m., followed by Dirty Muggs from 8–11 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 6, the fun

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GRAFTON/JERSEYVILLE - JCH Foundation will sponsor their fourth annual Lucky Duck Derby to raise money for a new ambulance at Jersey Community Hospital. From 4:30–8 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2025, community members can come out to Raging Rivers WaterPark in Grafton for food, drinks, live music, basket raffles and rubber duck races. Charity Roth with JCH Foundation explained that the event is a fun way to help the community. “Our community is so incredibly generous, and we’re so grateful for our business sponsors and those in the community who donate to us,” Roth said. “It’s an amazing event.” You don’t need to be present to win the duck races, though Roth encourages people to attend because the event is “a lot of fun.” The Quacker’s Cup, which is the sponsored race, will commence at 5:45 p.m. This will be followed by the Hometown Heroes Race at 6:15 p.m. For $9.11, the Hometown Heroes Race invites community members

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski this week urged the United States Postal Service to halt plans to downsize the Springfield Processing and Distribution Center and consolidate its operations with the St. Louis facility, citing concerns over delivery delays and job losses. Budzinski requested that the USPS permanently halt any plans to downsize or consolidate the Springfield facility, located at 2105 E. Cook Street. She emphasized that maintaining the center would protect local postal jobs and prevent further delays. In a letter addressed to Postmaster General David Steiner, Budzinski highlighted that under the previous Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” plan, the Springfield center was targeted for downsizing. She warned that routing mail from Springfield to St. Louis, over 100 miles away, before final delivery would exacerbate existing delays for Central Illinois residents. Budzinski noted that only 73 percent of First-Class

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ALTON - A free event encourages community members to connect with their spirituality. From 1–2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at River Bend Yoga in Alton, Riverbend residents are invited to learn more about Eckankar and spirituality through an interactive conversation titled “Experience the Reality of Past Lives, Dreams, and Soul Travel.” This is the second of a three-part series called “Ancient Wisdom for Today,” with conversations planned for the first Thursday of every month through October. “This is one of our favorite ones of all the ones we do, because it’s a culmination of the tenets, if you will, of Eckankar, which is the path of spiritual freedom,” said Flora Van Koten. “Everybody has inner guidance, whether they call it my own mind telling me what to do, or God, or Christ, or Buddha. It’s an exciting journey for everybody. They can relate to at least one of these topics. Organizers Van Koten and Sheila Aehl

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer announced the formation of two committees to advise her and the newly established Recovery Office on the City’s recovery vision and priorities after the devastating May 16 tornado. “One thing that’s clear to me from being in our hardest-hit neighborhoods, talking with residents, listening to frontline organizations, and learning from national recovery experts, is that St. Louis’ recovery depends on collaboration,” said Mayor Spencer. “The recovery cannot be mapped out from within City Hall. Through these committees, the people whose lives were abruptly changed on May 16, and the people who have stepped up to serve ever since, will play vital roles in helping us put St. Louisans' needs and wishes into action.” Residents and business owners in the impact zone, as well as community members who serve those in the impact zone, are invited to apply to the Resident and Community Recovery Advisory Committee.

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