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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School students were spotted picking up trash in Alton on Feb. 22, 2024. Principal Tim Harmon explained that service is an important part of the house system that Marquette implemented earlier this school year, which promotes connection and faith within the school community. The school’s motto, serviam, means “to serve,” another reason why Marquette is eager to participate in more community service opportunities in the area. “Honestly, it's one of the most important things that we do here,” Harmon said. “I think that is the main message that we want our kids to be taking away, along with their faith, is that we are here to serve. And so if we can be doing that out in the community, fantastic.” Harmon said the idea to pick up trash was suggested by the students. Half of the juniors and seniors picked up trash on Feb. 22 and the other half will be out on Feb. 23, 2024. “We didn't want to try and

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BUNKER HILL - A student from Bunker Hill High School has signed with the Central Illinois Cougars semi-pro football team. Drake Rose, a running back on the Bunker Hill team, will begin playing with the Cougars in the fall 2024 season. Drake is the son of Keith and Keri Rose from Bunker Hill. “We are so proud of what Drake has accomplished in his football career,” Keith said. “His coach has said that he sees Drake making it even further than this.” Drake’s coach, Kenny Miles, noted that Drake is “one of the best athletes” he has seen at the high school and that he might make it as far as the NFL. Drake will primarily play offense with the Cougars, but Keith said he will also use his skills on defense. “Drake is looking forward to putting Bunker Hill on the map,” Keith added.

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ALTON - Phone and internet service has been spotty for most people in the Riverbend region throughout the morning on Feb. 22, 2024. This is largely due to an AT&T outage that has affected customers nationwide. Jarvis Swope, the IT support person for the City of Alton, said most people are using cellular data to complete work at City Hall. “Unfortunately, we are still one of the affected sites,” he said. “We’re managing. It put us down a little bit, but there’s enough things that people can do to keep working.” He said the fire department does not currently have internet, but it is not affecting calls for service. FirstNet, a broadband network for first responders, is already back up and running. Swope said the “hearsay” is that a semi-truck hit a telephone pole and “broke the fiber,” which would cause widespread outages like the Riverbend is experiencing. “We just have to just unfortunately deal with what

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ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the Clark Bridge has reopened after a St. Charles County Police standoff with a suspect ended late Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024. The police chief recommended that people avoid the area if possible until normal traffic conditions resume. Alton Police blocked the Clark Bridge entry point during the St. Charles Police investigation that occurred Thursday near the West Alton, Mo. The suspect was shot and died in the incident. St. Charles Police had not announced whether or not the person shot himself or was shot by police. The St. Charles Police investigation into the case continues.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Tensions were high at the Madison County Board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, when the Board voted to publicly censure County Chairman Kurt Prenzler following allegations that he had been campaigning on county time and property . “This is a lynching with no due process” Prenzler said during the meeting. Prenzler allegedly handed out campaign cards to a vendor and an assistant state’s attorney on two separate occasions while on county time and property. Upon investigation, Prenzler was found in violation by Ethics Advisor Bruce Mattea, based on concerns that he was electioneering on county time and property. In an earlier meeting on Feb. 21, 2024, the Executive Committee voted to recommend a censure to the County Board. Bobby Ross and Ryan Kneedler were the lone “no” votes, with Chris Guy and Dalton Gray absent from the Executive Committee meeting. During the meeting of the full County Board, Mick Madison, Chairman Pro Tem

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FORISTELL, MO. - St. Charles County Police reported Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024, that they are investigating an early-morning homicide that occurred in Foristell, MO. A person that St. Charles County Police was attempting to talk to in the case was shot and killed near West Alton, MO., later in the morning. Police said law enforcement was called to the 1000 block of North Service Road around 3:15 a.m. after a caller reported hearing gunfire. When responding officers arrived, they located a woman deceased in a vehicle. The vehicle was parked in a trucking company lot, police said. Police also confirmed the shooting did not appear to be random. The investigation by St. Charles, MO., Police continues at this time. For more information, read this article on Riverbender.com .

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ST. CHARLES COUNTY - A man was shot and killed during a police standoff Thursday morning in West Alton area in St. Charles, Mo., the St. Charles Police confirmed. St. Charles County Police said they are still checking to see if the man shot himself or was shot by police in the standoff. Both the Lewis and Clark Bridges were closed during the police operation. Police had the presence centered around the Phillips 66 at 14700 U.S. Route 67 in West Alton. St. Charles County Police said the situation started when officers tried to speak with the man about a homicide that occurred in Foristell, MO., earlier in the day. Police said the man refused to converse and became agitated. Officers continued to negotiate with him until the shooting occurred. Several agencies were involved, including the Alton Police Department, St. Charles County Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and a regional SWAT team.

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ST. CHARLES COUNTY - The St. Charles County Police Department announced Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024, that it has a large police presence in the area of the Phillips 66 (14700 U.S.-67 West Alton. Both the Lewis and Clark Bridges are blocked to thru traffic. “Do not come to this area,” the St. Charles County Police Department said in a statement. “Stay tuned to our social media for updates.” Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said his department has been requested to assist the St. Charles County Police in the operation. He said the Clark Bridge was closed around 7:45 a.m. on Thursday and as of 11:30 a.m. it remained closed. He said there are Alton Police cars and officers on the Alton side of the Clark Bridge. “The Clark Bridge will be closed until they give us word it is safe to open back up,” he said. “We are helping in any way we can.”

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Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a Mt. Carmel, Illinois man co-prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to the dissemination of child pornography. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child pornography online. Raoul’s office prosecuted Alexander Knotts, 24, who was sentenced by Wabash County Circuit Court Judge William Hudson after he pleaded guilty to three counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies, and one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 2 felony. Knotts immediately began serving his 40-year sentence. “This sentence ensures a child predator is held accountable and prevented from being able to exploit more innocent children,” Raoul said. “Collaborations lik

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Police Department has announced that a preliminary investigation of a fatal fire in the 500 block of North Clay Avenue in Ferguson, Mo., has revealed this to be a murder/suicide. The deceased in the fire have been identified as Bernadine Pruessner, 39, an area college faculty member, and her children, Ivy Pruessner, 9, Ellie Pruessner, 9, Jackson Spader, 6, and Millie Spader, 2. All resided in the 500 block of North Clay residence in Ferguson. Bernadine was the mother of all four children. "It is believed that Bernadine intentionally set a mattress on fire as that was the point of origin for the fire," St. Louis County Police said. "A note was also left stating Bernadine’s intentions to take her life and the lives of her children." Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please

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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns reported on Wednesday night, Feb. 21, 2024, that there was a three-wheeler crash just before 5 p.m. on Airport Road in Jersey County. Manns said a juvenile was flown out with a leg injury. "I believe the prognosis is good," Sheriff Manns said. No other details were available about the three-wheeler crash, but it is being investigated by the Jersey County Sheriff's Office.

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SPRINGFIELD – Building on five years of fiscal progress, Governor Pritzker’s sixth balanced budget proposal will continue on the path of fiscal responsibility, introduce new investments in healthcare accessibility and equity, and build on our historic progress in education and economic development. Please see below for links to the proposed FY25 budget as well as the Governor’s remarks as prepared for delivery: Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget Fiscal Year 2025 Budget in Brief State of the State and Budget Address Wednesday, February 21 st , 2024 *Remarks As Prepared For Delivery* Speaker Welch, President Harmon, Lieutenant Governor Stratton, my fellow constitutional officers, members of the 103 rd General Assembly, Chief Justice Theis and members of the Supreme Court, honored guests, the First Lady of Illinois, my soulmate, MK, and all the people of the great state of Illinois, I am so grateful to be here t

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These are responses to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's State of the State address. Democratic Party of Illinois Statement on Governor JB Pritzker’s Address SPRINGFIELD — Following Governor JB Pritzker’s annual State of the State and Budget Address, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez released the following statement: “Building on five years of fiscal progress and responsibility, Governor JB Pritzker once again laid out a positive vision for our state that invests in education, health care, infrastructure, public safety, and human services in his State of the State and Budget Address. Democrats across the state will work together to continue bolstering our finances while investing in budget priorities that move Illinois forward. Governor Pritzker, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Treasurer Mike Frerichs, and Democrats in the General Assembly have put Illinois’ finances back on track over the past five years, with nine credit rating upgrades,

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ALTON - Cory Jobe, President & CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, today responded to the Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, announcement that American Queen Voyages has discontinued operations for 2024. Please see the attached media statement for Mr. Jobe’s remarks. The following is a statement from Cory Jobe, President & CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, in response to the announcement that American Queen Voyages will no longer operate cruise ships in 2024. “The loss of American Queen Voyages dockings in Alton this year is unfortunate but doesn’t represent the overall health of the cruise ship industry in the U.S. and Southwest Illinois,” Cory Jobe, President & CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau remarked. “In fact, the cruise industry, as shown by American Cruise Lines and Viking River Cruises, remains strong and is surpassing pre-pandemic levels of popularity. “In 2024 alone, we anticipate 27 Alton cruise ship dockings

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TROY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that utility work by the city of Troy will require a full closure of Center Street in Troy at Collinsville Road for one week beginning, weather permitting, Thursday, Feb. 22. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs in work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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GODFREY - According to Marie Mangrum, Rose Optical has two favorite “helpers”: dogs and kids. Dogs chew on glasses and kids break them. Mangrum joked that this keeps the optometrist in business, but in truth, Rose Optical’s 33 years in the Riverbend region are a testament to their service alone. She is thankful for the patients and the organizations, like the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council, that have supported the business over the decades. “We’ve been around for 33 years and we’re still thriving. We just love how the public supports us and the patients,” Mangrum said. “We want the patients to be happy. We have patients who have moved out of the area, and when they come back to visit family, that’s their eye exam.” This means a lot to Mangrum and her husband Kevin, who own Rose Optical and work there together with their children. The family hopes to provide quality care for patients no matter what they need,

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Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Look no further! From trivia nights to eagle watching and fish fries to painting fundraisers, the diverse range of upcoming events promises something exciting for everyone in the community. For a complete list of these engaging activities and more, visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ and plan your next adventure today. Featured Alton Little Theater Presents: THE FOUR POSTER - The Alton Little Theater is excited to present "The Four Poster," a poignant play that spans 35 years in the life of a married couple. The play originally starred Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy and takes place from their wedding night in 1890 to the day they leave their longtime home. Witness their joys, struggles, and the changes in their lives, all in the presence of their old fourposter bed. This touching narrative captures the essence of marriage and is not to be missed. BuzzTones: Buzzin' the VFW! - The BuzzTones are ready to fill your night with musi

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ALTON - When Carly Hamberg became the CEO of Logo It last year, she knew there were a lot of people who had her back, from her parents to the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council. Located at 2603 State Street in Alton, Logo It creates customized apparel and promotional products for local businesses, schools, teams and more. With plenty of loyal customers who have loved to watch them grow, Hamberg said that it’s been nerve-wracking but rewarding to take on the business from her parents. “It’s exciting. It’s scary as well,” she said. “My parents have created this amazing business. To have to take it on and hope that I succeed as much as them is a little scary. But I’m confident that I’m creating a team within the office where my employees can help me succeed to that level of my parents. I think it’s going well so far.” Logo It recently added 3,000 square feet to its interior, where they now have a showroom and warehouse.

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ALTON - There was a large visible police presence on East 13th Street in the Blair Area in Alton this morning and officers were able to apprehend two subjects and take them into custody. The Alton Police said an initial report to the department said it appeared up to possibly four subjects were in a house that was under rehabilitation. The police used a drone to capture the two who had fled to the nearby woods. There has not been any information released yet on whether or not the subjects will be charged, but it appears the subjects were not authorized to be in the home. The investigation into this situation is ongoing, Alton Police said.

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Edwardsville, Ill. - Every year, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) honors educators across the state, and this year, two Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 educators are among the recipients for 2024. The awards program is divided into two categories – the “Illinois Teacher of the Year” cohort and the “Those Who Excel” awards. Within “Those Who Excel” are three different awards, including the Award of Excellence, the Award of Special Recognition, and the Award of Meritorious Service. Congratulations to Nelson Elementary Principal Melissa Edwards, who received Special Recognition, and Elementary Technology Teacher Gretchen Hertz, who received Meritorious Service. “We are immensely proud that these two exceptional educators have been recognized for their outstanding contributions,” said Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton. “Their dedication

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