Riverbender 🕸

I have to admit something embarrassing: I recently went to Starbucks. Okay, that in and of itself isn’t embarrassing. But when you think about all the great coffee shops we have in the Riverbend community — places that are sure to appreciate my purchase way more than Starbucks, a multibillion-dollar corporation — you have to wonder why I would spend my money at a place like that when I could have stopped by Germania, Maeva’s or Post Commons instead. My point is, as much as I try to shop local, I often mess up. Sometimes it’s just easier to buy something at the last minute from Amazon. I drive by Walmart every day, and every now and then it’s more convenient to pull in and grab a Christmas gift or a treat or whatever I need from there. I value local businesses over big companies, but my consumerism is far from perfect. But I’m making a commitment this holiday season to buy all my gifts from small or locally-owned businesses. So I set off to

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EDWARDSVILLE - Precia Chimaren is poised to take the world by storm, as soon as she finishes middle school. For her achievements and great character, Precia Chimaren is a Gerard Fischer Student of the Month for Liberty Middle School. Chimaren is “involved in all things Liberty Middle School,” according to her teachers. She is a member of the House Council for Reveur, so she leads her fellow students and serves as a representative for her house. Her leadership skills are also at play as a member of the GLO team, or the “guidance, leadership and opportunity” team, which identifies responsible leaders in the eighth-grade class. Through the GLO program, Chimaren participates in community service projects, keeps her grades up and advocates for other students. In fact, Chimaren regularly helps other students who could use some kindness. She gives tours to new students when they arrive at Liberty Middle School, often becoming their first friend. She also

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in support of the state of California’s efforts to restrict the sale and possession of assault weapons within its borders. “States should be able to protect residents and communities by passing laws restricting the sale and possession of assault weapons,” Raoul said. “I will continue to collaborate with fellow attorneys general who prioritize public safety by defending common sense gun safety measures.” The case, Miller v Bonta , concerns the constitutionality of California’s assault weapons ban, and the coalition filed an amicus brief in support of California in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. A judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California issued an injunction against California’s Assault Weapons Control Act, and California appealed the decision. The Ninth Circuit has stayed the

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05) today reintroduced the Corporate Crime Database Act , bicameral legislation that would require s the Department of Justice (DOJ) to collect, aggregate, analyze, and publish comprehensive data on federal corporate criminal enforcement actions. Today’s bill introduction comes ahead of a full Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on corporate crime tomorrow entitled “ Cleaning Up the C-Suite: Ensuring Accountability for Corporate Criminals .” “We believe that comprehensive, national data collection and a searchable public database of the results of federal enforcement actions against corporations and individual actors engaging in corporate misconduct would provide better oversight, inform DOJ’s corporate criminal prosecution practices, and demonstrate the effectiveness

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SPRINGFIELD – Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 76,232 deer during the seven-day 2023 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 3. Comparatively, hunters harvested 76,854 deer during the 2022 firearm season. The preliminary harvest for the second segment of the 2023 firearm season Nov. 30-Dec. 3 was 22,884, compared with 24,500 deer harvested during the second part of the 2022 season. The preliminary harvest for the first segment of this year’s firearm season Nov. 17-19 was 53,348 deer. Remaining 2023-2024 deer hunting opportunities in Illinois include: Late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease (CWD) season, in designated counties only, Dec. 28-31 and Jan. 12-14. A map showing the counties open to late-winter and CWD seasons can be found online . Archery deer season continues through Jan. 14. Go online for more deer hunting information . A table of preliminary 2023 firearm deer season totals by county and comparable totals

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ALTON - $7.5 million in TIF funding for the Wedge Redevelopment Project received preliminary approval from the Alton Committee of the Whole on Monday. The city would agree to reimburse developer WIC Landlord LLC for completion of the multi-phase project if the agreement gets full approval from the City Council this Wednesday. John Simmons with AltonWorks spoke at the committee meeting to thank city officials for their support of the project, saying the investment will go far in Alton. “Thank you to the city for believing in us with the TIF request that moved out of this committee tonight,” Simmons said. “It’s going to go a long way to revitalize Alton and help dreams become a reality and bring things to fruition faster than they already would, so thank you very much.” Construction on the building wedged between East Broadway and East 3rd Street in Alton, formerly known as the Wedge Bank, recently reached its one-year milestone . According

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SOUTH ROXANA — In the heart of our beloved small town, a remarkable story of dedication and leadership unfolds. The Village of South Roxana is thrilled to announce that Mayor TJ Callahan has achieved a significant milestone, earning his Doctorate in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety. This accomplishment sets a new precedent, marking Mayor Callahan as the most educated mayor in our town's history. With over 20 years of supervisory experience, Mayor Callahan, in his professional career, leads a dynamic team of over 340 employees, showcasing a unique blend of extensive knowledge and down-to-earth approachability in his role. His academic and professional journey is not just a personal triumph but a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the safety and prosperity of our community. His approachability and humility mark Mayor Callahan's presence in South Roxana. In a town where everyone knows your name and community ties are strong,

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ALTON - Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, will be a special day at Mac’s in Downtown Alton. Mac’s will have an all-day commemoration of Mac’s 40th anniversary. Mac’s opened at 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 6, 1983, at 315 Belle Street in Alton. Now, the rest is history about the success of the bar/restaurant. The biggest special of the day at Mac’s on Saturday will be $1.50 on all domestic beers, which will rival prices back in the 1980s, Rob Lenhardt, one of the owners, said. “We will be going all day here from about noon to midnight,” Rob added. “We have a DJ set to be on from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a lot of 1970s and 1980s music played. We look forward to seeing a lot of faces we haven’t seen in a while and also some new people. It will be an absolutely a great day.” Rob said he believes what his dad, Mac, is most proud of is how far the business has come since its humble beginnings of a 60-foot by 25-foot bar. “We

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ALTON - Mac’s on Third Street in Alton has come a long way since it opened in 1983 with only the front bar. The legendary Alton business is going strong in 2023 as it marks its 40th anniversary. The business opened its doors at 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 6, 1983, at the 315 Belle Street location with 2,500 square feet. It is a rarity for a bar to survive that long and Mac and Rob Lenhardt, the owners, are proud of how far they have come. Mac Lenhardt said when the business opened, he often worried about making the $250 a month payment on the loan to start, but with extreme fortitude, the business continued to grow and prosper. Mac and Rob have done much of the construction work on Mac’s and Mac also thanked his long-time construction associate - Joe Haufe - a master mechanic and carpenter. Joe and Mac joined forces in 1987 and have been together ever since. As buildings became available downtown, the Lenhardts purchased them, all to make Alton a better place for others to do

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists, with support from contracted commercial fishers and biologists from the Illinois River Biological Station, wrapped up a 10-day intensive harvest operation in the Starved Rock pool of the Illinois River, resulting in the removal of an astonishing 750,000 pounds of silver carp between Nov. 27 and Dec. 6. This is the largest single removal effort IDNR has undertaken and is believed to be a record for freshwater harvest within the United States. “Clearly, this removal technique is highly effective, but it is also highly dependent on water levels and water temperature,” said Brian Schoenung, aquatic nuisance species program manager for IDNR. “This past week provided near perfect conditions, which facilitated the record-breaking haul of fish.” IDNR uses funding support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to contract with commercia

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – Utah-based Dolor Technologies, LLC (“Dolor) has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States to resolve Dolor’s civil liability relating to a device it sold and marketed to treat migraines, the Department of Justice announced today. This resolution requires Dolor to make monetary payments to the U.S. based upon its ability to pay. The government alleges that, between July 2013 through July 2017, Dolor violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by causing medical providers to submit false claims to the Medicare Program for procedures using a device called the SphenoCath. The SphenoCath was intended to treat migraine headaches by administering nerve blocks to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a collection of nerves located deep in the midface of the skull. The government alleged the SphenoCath was not approved or authorized by the FDA for use in SPG nerve blocks for the treatment of headaches. The government also alleged Dolor instructed, coached

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ALTON/GODFREY - On Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, The Mirage Salon + Barbershop will host two fundraisers to raise money for a double mastectomy for one of their estheticians. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., people can stop by The Mirage at 222 Herbert Street in Alton for “Haircuts for Samantha,” where every haircut costs $20 and all proceeds go to Samantha Schaibly. The day will end with a music trivia night at 6 p.m. at the KC Hall in Godfrey, and attendees can enjoy a cash bar and silent auction with all the money benefiting Schaibly and her family. “It takes a village. I have a great village,” Schaibly said. “I’m very grateful for it.” Schaibly, 31, has been with The Mirage for a year, during which she has gone to school full-time, passed her board exams to become a fully certified esthetician, and won a “Best of the Best” award. She added that her coworkers and clients have been “very supportive” through her recent struggles

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GODFREY - A man from Godfrey has been charged with aggravated battery of a pregnant woman and more, according to recent Jersey County court filings. Adam J. Webster, 34, of Godfrey, was charged with aggravated battery, unlawful restraint, and domestic battery in the form of physical contact. According to court documents, on or about Dec. 4, 2023, Webster, “knowing to be pregnant, committed a battery … in that he shoved her down the hallway and stated, ‘I could just strangle the life out of you.’” In total, Webster was charged with a Class 3 felony for the aggravated battery charge, in addition to a Class 4 felony for unlawful restraint and a Class A Misdemeanor for domestic battery in the form of physical contact. Webster was initially taken into the custody of the Jersey County Jail, but has since been granted pretrial release under certain conditions including a no-contact order and electronic GPS monitoring. His arraignment hearing is no

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District hosted their second annual Local Author Book Fair on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Executive Director Mary Cordes explained that the book fair invited approximately 25 local writers to sell their books and mingle with readers at the library’s Alton Square Mall location. From 12–3 p.m., shoppers explored new titles and chatted with authors about their writing, books and publishing process. “It’s going really, really well,” Cordes said during the event. “We even had shoppers while the authors were still setting up. They were like, ‘What are you selling?’ So it’s been really well-attended.” This is Hayner’s second year sponsoring an author fair. Last year, they hosted the inaugural event at their downtown Alton location in October. They decided this year they would try holding the fair at the mall during the holiday season instead. Cordes said this change successfully brought

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) joined Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth in sending a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois. “We write to request that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois,” wrote the lawmakers. “For years, residents in Cahokia Heights have struggled with flash flooding, raw sewage in yards and homes, and potentially dangerous drinking water—the result of large-scale infrastructure problems that have failed to protect residents’ homes. As you are aware, prolonged exposure to floodwater and sewage can pose a significant public health threat from exposure to mold and other bacteria linked

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ALTON/GODFREY - Kolton Corby is a few days shy of turning 12, and instead of birthday presents, he wants to help animals in need. Corby and his family invited community members to help them fill a bus with donations on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Farm and Home in Alton. All donations went to Hope Animal Rescues , a no-kill dog shelter in Godfrey that pulls dogs from animal control facilities before they are euthanized. Corby explained that dogs are his favorite animal, which is why he chose to donate to Hope Animal Rescues. “There’s just a lot of dogs in need, and they pick up a lot of dogs too,” he added. This is Corby’s fourth year of collecting donations instead of birthday presents. He started on his 8th birthday because he was concerned about “just being nice to animals and people.” Corby himself has five dogs, two goats, two cats “and a whole bunch of chickens,” so he knows firsthand how important it is to be kind and take

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) urging the agency to conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois. “We write to request that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois,” the lawmakers began their letter. “For years, residents in Cahokia Heights have struggled with flash flooding, raw sewage in yards and homes, and potentially dangerous drinking water—the result of large-scale infrastructure problems that have failed to protect residents’ homes. As you are aware, prolonged exposure

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ALTON - Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will co-host, along with Illinois First Judicial Circuit, Heritage Behavioral Health and Kane County System of Care, the no-cost “The Belonging Need” training series in early 2024 featuring advocate, speaker and former NFL player Gaelin Elmore. CEUs will be available. “The Belonging Need” series stresses that belonging is a vital component of human flourishing. However, those who have experienced traumatic and adverse situations often lack a sense of belonging, which can hinder their relationships, development, and their future. The series includes: “The Belonging Need: Part 1” – January 24 from 9-11 a.m. CT via Zoom “The Belonging Need: Part 2” – February 21 from 9-11 a.m. CT via Zoom In-person “A Trauma-Informed Courts and Community Symposium: Creating a Culture of Belonging” – March 21 from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Marion Cultural

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Floor Store hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday to commemorate its grand re-opening under new owner Kaylee Weber, who now owns the business in the same community where she's raising her family with a husband and two children. The Bethalto Chamber of Commerce organized the ribbon cutting to signify the new ownership. Weber is a Bethalto area native who was not only born and raised there, but whose family has another well-established local business, RCS Construction. “I am the new owner as of August, and I’m excited to stay here in town with a local business,” Weber said of the Bethalto Floor Store. She said the Bethalto Floor Store sells “any kind of flooring,” including carpet, tile, vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood and more, adding: “any surface you can walk on, we’ll have it and we’ll install it as well.” “I think it’s a fantastic town, it’s a great place to raise a family

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ALTON - Volunteers from United Way, Salvation Army, the Alton Police Department and more joined forces to sort donations for Community Christmas. On Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, volunteers gathered at the Alton Salvation Army to unpack 116 boxes that have been collecting donations throughout the Riverbend region. These donations will be given to families in the Greater St. Louis area as part of the United Way Community Christmas initiative. “It’s just been amazing to be a part of because it’s just one of those experiences that gets you right here,” said Karen Lintz, Director of the Illinois Region for the United Way of Greater St. Louis. “You think about everybody that is going to receive these donations this Christmas and the smiles it’s going to make with all the kids and the families.” The sorting day is one of the biggest days for the Community Christmas program, but fundraising and donating started early in the year with events like Christma

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