Riverbender 🕸

WOOD RIVER - After closing down several years ago, Pizza Hut is back in Wood River and happy to be serving the community once again. Located at 897 East Edwardsville Road, the restaurant opens at 10:30 a.m. every day and closes at 10 p.m. on weeknights or 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. They offer delivery and carry-out. “There’s just a big need in the area for pizza,” Jon Cobb, an area coach for Pizza Hut, said. “We’ve got a product, and people have been dying for us to come back.” He said that the business often sees and receives comments about wanting the store to reopen. The location opened on Tuesday, Aug. 1 and has already seen many customers. “It’s been very well-received,” Cobb added. “We’re doing delivery and carry-outs only here, and it’s going pretty well.” To learn more (or order a pizza), visit Pizza Hut’s official website or call the Wood River location at 618-217-0024.

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GODFREY - Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick again issued a warning to residents to double-check any conversations with solicitors. The mayor said there have been some ongoing complaints that some are still soliciting in the Village of Godfrey without a permit. Some solicitors have also been reported as not taking no for an answer in Godfrey and pressuring residents, McCormick said. “Solicitors need a permit with the Village Clerk’s office,” the mayor said. “They have to give their information to the clerk and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office does a background check on them. The clerk then goes to me before the permit is approved. My advice to people in the village is if someone knocks on their door, ask for their permit.” Presently, Mayor McCormick said only two companies — Clearway Solar Fiber and Solutions Solar Company — have permits in the Village of Godfrey to solicit, and they have four total personnel at this time between them.

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GRAFTON - Pere Marquette’s 17th annual Peach Festival invites you to come out and enjoy fresh fruit this Sunday, Aug. 6. The Peach Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center. Vendors, kids’ activities and the beloved Peach Pit contest are just some of the attractions you can check out in between bites. “Obviously, we’re highlighting peaches,” said Arielle Niemeyer, Pere Marquette’s director of marketing and events. “So we’re going to have multiple peach vendors. The majority of them are going to be from Calhoun County, which, you know, they’re known in the nation for their peaches.” Attendees can sample peaches from across the area. Other local produce vendors from Alton and Godfrey will be there, as well as 30 craft vendors spread throughout the lodge and outside. With face painting and other kid-friendly activities, many families are expected to come out and enjoy the day.

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB2396, requiring each school board to establish a kindergarten program with full-day attendance, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. Under this bill, every district must also establish a half-day program that is developmentally appropriate and provides opportunities for play-based learning. “Full day kindergarten is an essential step towards getting young Illinoisans off to the best possible start in their education, which has long-lasting positive effects on reading, math, and social skills,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “From Smart Start to school funding to early childhood, we’re investing heavily in our state’s youngest residents because we know that every investment we make now is paid back multiple times over by engaged and educated citizens.” “Children across our state deserve the opportunity to reach their full academic potential, starting from their first moments in the

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EDWARDSVILLE – Over 130 students spent the last two weeks in July learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related subjects at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Odyssey Science Camp. SIUE’s STEM Center coordinates the camp each summer inspiring and encouraging young science enthusiasts. “Our main goal with the Odyssey Science Camp is to allow students to explore science in a relaxed and informal way to encourage the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” said Emily Wonnacott-Stanley, MS, program coordinator for the Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach. “Campers learned about science concepts through fun, hands-on activities.” Odyssey Science Camp topics and activities included the introduction to scientific principles, building math skills through games, crime scene investigations, building and programming robots, and renewable energy. The camp continues to grow in popularity

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will be hosting a book reading and signing with former SIU President Glenn Poshard for his book, “Son of Southern Illinois: Glenn Poshard’s Life in Politics and Education” at 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 8 in the Lovejoy Library Friends Corner. The first biography of Glenn Poshard, by Carl Walworth, traces the life of a young man who rose from rural poverty in Southern Illinois to become a United States congressman and president of the SIU System. The profound portrait unveils a life and career dedicated to making higher education affordable and improving the quality of life for the community of Southern Illinois. Books will be available for purchasing and signing at the event. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality education that powerfully transforms the lives of all individuals who seek something greater. A premier metropolitan university, SIUE is creating

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GODFREY - Tonight, the Godfrey Village Board of Trustees is set to vote on a new agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation about a change in funding for the double-roundabout project near Pierce Lane and Route 3. Previously, the village and IDOT were set to share the construction costs for new six-foot-wide sidewalks on the north side of Cook Street, west side of Pierce Lane, and south side of West Delmar Avenue, as well as landscaping costs. Under the new agreement, the village would only be responsible for landscaping costs due to federal funding secured by IDOT . The roundabout project will still move forward whether or not the Village Board approves the agreement. If they do approve it, the center of each roundabout will be filled with landscaping, funded and maintained by the village. If not, the center of each roundabout will be filled with gravel, and any future landscaping would need IDOT approval and installation under traffic. The federal funding covers

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ALTON - The Alton Fire Department has been busy in recent days with three severe fires in eight days. Alton Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fischer reported the last fire was in the 900 block of College Avenue early Monday. He said when Fire Department officials arrived at the two-story house fire, flames were shooting from all sides of the structure. He said the firefighters had to take "a defensive approach" to the fire, and East Alton Fire Department was also contacted to bring their aerial truck. Fischer said he was thankful for the East Alton Fire Department Aerial Truck. He said without it, Alton firefighters may have been at the fire for a lot longer. The home was unoccupied and the State Fire Marshal’s Office was called in to investigate. No cause of the fire has been released. Last Thursday, Alton firefighters battled another severe blaze in the 900 block of Union Street in Alton. When they arrived, smoke was coming from the structure and the fire eventually went through the

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GLEN CARBON - Upcoming construction near Glen Carbon will affect traffic on Illinois 162 and Illinois 157, but the Illinois Department of Transportation’s plans for traffic management have been generally well-received. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) hosted a meeting last month to speak with residents about the construction and how it will affect traffic. Cheryl Keplar, a project engineer with IDOT, said the meeting drew over 150 people and went “very well.” IDOT recently released a statement detailing the construction plans. “The project involves the realignment of the west leg of Illinois 162 to tie in with the east leg of Illinois 162 at a proposed traffic signal, thus eliminating the offset intersections of Illinois 162 with stop control,” the statement read. “The project also involves reconstruction of the bridge that carries Illinois 157 over Judy’s Branch, construction of a new bridge to carry Illinois 162

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GRAFTON - 30 years ago, the Great Flood of 1993 impacted several towns in the Riverbend area - including Grafton, where flooding was recorded for 195 days . Former Grafton Alderwoman and Mayor Bobbie Amburg recalled her experience with the flood, including commuting to and from work by boat, meeting a presidential candidate, and more. The Great Flood of 1993 began shortly after Amburg moved to Grafton with her husband, Edward “Ed” Amburg, a Grafton native who was used to the flooding and helped prepare her for it. “He explained to me when water started coming up, what would happen,” Bobbie said. “Streets would be closed, people would have to move out or move up a floor or something in their house, so he had me pretty well prepared for what would happen.” Originally from Alton, Bobbie had never quite seen anything like the flooding in Grafton that year. She remembered traveling to and from her house along Route 3 not by car, but by boat. “

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ALTON - Sparks Junk Removal & Hauling has been a Riverbend staple since 1993, but their newer trash pick-up services have been a huge hit with residents over the past five years. The company offers clean-outs, furniture removal, trash hauling and light demolition services. They also strive to be eco-friendly, so they recycle and repurpose items when possible. Owner Denise Sparks noted that people seem to love her company as an alternative to bigger trash removal organizations that have spread throughout the region. “For me, number one is customer satisfaction. That’s it,” Sparks said. “My goal is to pull myself off of the trucks so I can be out in the community more and continue to make that customer service excellent and continue to build.” As part of that goal, they have expanded their warehouse and will soon open the front half as a shop, where they will sell some of the furniture and other big items they pick up that can be reused. Sparks

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Greasy pizza, cookies, sugary drinks – you name it – junk food has a grip on many Americans including people between 50 and 80 years old. About 13% of adults in that age group are addicted to highly processed foods (1 in every 8), according to a study by the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging. “It doesn't surprise me: these are the ages where people are looking to retire," says Jason Crum, a dietitian with OSF HealthCare. "And they're looking at what they're going to eat. How quickly will it take to eat these things, cooking, and processing. People don't want to do that anymore. They're tired, they're fatigued, so they look for quick, easy things.” More than 2,100 adults between 50-80 were polled so researchers could learn more about the unhealthy relationship with processed foods including sweets, snacks, and fast food. The most common symptoms were intense cravings, the inability to cut down on intake and signs of withdrawal that

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WOOD RIVER - Calling all pinball wizards! With over 100 pinball machines, Atomic Pinball Arcade will host its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 5 in Wood River. Previously CP Pinball in South Roxana, Atomic Pinball Arcade will have more games and a “BYOB” policy that appeals to league players and casual pinballers alike. Owner Chuck Sanderson, an avid pinball player himself, explained that it’s all about the games. “It’s a great place to play some pinball and have a couple of drinks. It’s not a place to drink and play a couple of games of pinball,” he said. In addition to the pinball machines, Atomic Pinball Arcade will offer several other favorites like Skee-Ball, shuffleboard and some video games. They plan to sponsor a pinball league where players can compete against each other starting on Sept. 6. Sanderson made the decision to move to a bigger facility and rebrand the business as Atomic Pinball Arcade about two years ago. The popular

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ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, closed the 1200-foot main chamber at Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Illinois yesterday to all commercial and recreational traffic after a crack was discovered on one of the lock chamber's lift gates during an inspection after an allision. At this time personnel are working on the repair, which is currently estimated to be complete on Saturday, August 5. All interested parties will be notified if this estimated date changes based on conditions encountered that would affect the closure period. The Melvin Price Locks and Dam 600-foot auxiliary chamber is currently open and available for lockages as needed. Mariners may contact the lock on VHF Channel 12 or by calling 618.462.1713. All navigation interest should be alert for, and abide by, any special instructions issued by the lockmaster.

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ALTON - Riverbend region residents are invited to join the OSF Lymphedema Therapy team for a free educational session about Lymphedema and meet other people with Lymphedema. The next Lymphedema education meeting will be held: Thursday, August 3, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. OSF HealthCare Rehabilitation Services 228 Alton Square Mall, Alton, IL Enter the Rehab office from the upper Mall parking lot, facing Alby Street, under the "OSF HEALTHCARE" sign Interested individuals should direct questions or requests for additional information to OSF Saint Anthony’s Rehabilitation Services at (618) 463-5171. About OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center A 49-bed Rural Health designated acute care hospital in Alton, Illinois, OSF Saint Anthony’s serves the residents of Madison, Jersey and Macoupin counties. It is home to OSF Moeller Cancer Center, which provides the latest diagnostic tools and treatment for patients in a relaxing environment. OSF Saint

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SPRINGFIELD – The 2023-2024 Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations is now available online, and printed copies will be available in Conservation World during the 2023 Illinois State Fair Aug. 10-20. To access the electronic version, visit https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/hunttrapdigest.html . The digest will also be available in Spanish and Polish online in the coming weeks. Printed copies will arrive at vendor locations statewide soon after the fair. “IDNR is pleased to make this informative digest available to hunters and trappers, who are essential partners in conservation and management of Illinois’ wildlife,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “This annual guide provides a detailed review of hunting and trapping season dates, possession limits, hunting zone boundaries, statewide hunting regulations, license and permit details, and other useful information. IDNR wishes hunters a safe and successful season.” Hunting licenses

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with 19 attorneys general, filed legal arguments in a lawsuit challenging Idaho’s restrictive law making it a crime for adults to help minors travel outside of Idaho, where abortion is banned, for abortion care. In the amicus brief , Raoul and the coalition argue that Idaho’s law not only endangers minors from Idaho, it also seeks to punish other states’ medical providers and residents for helping them access lawful abortion care outside of Idaho’s borders. In Illinois, the right to choose an abortion is a fundamental right , including for individuals who are under 18 years of age. “We, unfortunately, continue to see increased efforts in other states to restrict access to or criminalize abortion. It’s not enough for these anti-abortion states to ban access within their own borders. Idaho’s law is an unconstitutional attempt to chill access to abortion in safe haven states, like Illinois,” Raoul

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EDWARDSVILLE - Cory Huechert with the Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) was recognized at the Edwardsville City Council meeting on Tuesday for his courageous actions during a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 in May which left eight dead and several more injured. Madison County EMA Director Fred Patterson submitted Huechert’s name for recognition and spoke highly of his actions at the meeting. He recalled the “unique” dusty conditions of the crash site. “Unless you there, it was remarkable. The dust at the scene, I’m sure he’ll have memories of that just like I do. I’ve seen a lot, and it was unique, no question. His skillset was amazing, his demeanor on scene was amazing,” Patterson said of Huechert. He then read the official letter of recognition from Madison County EMA, which read as follows: “Madison County appreciates your efforts on May 1, 2023 as part of the Emergency Management

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn has identified an area man that died as a result of being struck by a passenger vehicle early this morning as 36-year-old George L. Laughlin of Granite City. Nonn said 911 was notified at 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. "For reasons unknown, the victim was confirmed crossing Illinois Route 140 east of North Stanley Road in East Alton when his body was struck by an eastbound pickup truck," Nonn said. "He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Madison County Coroner’s Office Investigator Christopher Hartman at 1:50 a.m., today’s date. "Preliminary evidence at the scene suggests the decedent died as a result chest, abdomen, and pelvic blunt trauma. Routine toxicology testing remains pending at this time. The driver of the vehicle striking the decedent was not issued a citation and is cooperating with the investigation." Nonn added that the case remains under investigation by the East Alton Police Department, Illinois

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GODFREY - Area resident Meghan Cunningham recently competed in the Ms. Health and Fitness nationwide competition. She excelled in the competition and said she may also enter again next year. Cunningham is a graphic artist and a Webster University at St. Louis graduate. She also attended Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for a year, and also works as a bartender at Bakers and Hale in Godfrey. She said she had to send in eight photos and some questions as part of the entry. The female bodybuilder consistently works out at Pride Fitness in Wood River by the Pump House. She said she always enjoys her workouts. "I try to go three times a week," she said. "I run a circuit at least two times a week and sometimes three times." Cunningham once completed a half marathon and overall is very athletic. She was also once a soccer player and a volleyball player. She plans to continue with her fitness approach moving forward and works hard on her diet. She has been an inspiration for others

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