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SAINT LOUIS - The St. Louis Water Garden Society will host their 25th annual Pond-O-Rama garden tour. You can enjoy the two-day tour of 29 gardens around the St. Louis Metro area from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 21 and 22, 2025. Tickets cost $25 for non-members, while SLWGS members receive one ticket for free. Proceeds support the Jewel Box in Forest Park, which SLWGS maintains. “This year, our tour is really special,” said Ginny Mueller, Pond-O-Rama co-chair. “Everybody is just excited to meet the people who come. I think our gardeners are absolutely the best people in the world.” Mueller and her co-chair, Don Richardson, are eager to show off their own gardens on the tour this year. They noted that creating a water garden is “a labor of love.” Some of the gardens are “teeny tiny,” while others are “astounding” in their size. The tour features gardeners who built their own ponds alongside those who had their gardens

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WOOD RIVER – A man from Wood River faces multiple felony charges after fleeing from police at high speeds and more in a vehicle stolen from an ex-partner. Tremayne L. Brown, 30, of Wood River, was charged on May 27, 2025 with one count of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony) and two counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (both Class 4 felonies). Brown was allegedly in possession of a Hyundai Santa Fe with an Illinois registration number which he knew to be stolen on May 27, 2025. He was additionally accused of failing to stop after being signaled to stop by police, fleeing at at least 21 mph over the legal speed limit and disobeying two or more traffic control devices. A petition to deny Brown’s pretrial release was filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. According to the petition, Brown drove the vehicle of an ex-partner without permission, then fled from an attempted traffic stop by

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GRANITE CITY/WOOD RIVER – A pair of stolen motorcycles have yielded felony charges against residents of Wood River and Granite City. Larry D. Garrison, 41, of Wood River, and Clinton E. Garrison, 41, of Granite City, were each charged on June 2, 2025 with two Class 2 felony counts of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle and one Class A misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property. Larry and Clinton allegedly knowingly possessed two stolen motorcycles, both with Illinois registration numbers – a 2023 Honda Grom and a 2023 Kawasaki BR125. They were also accused of damaging the headlight and ignition of the Honda motorcycle. T he Wood River Police Department presented the cases against Larry and Clinton, 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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ALTON - Marion and Wilma Greene of Alton marked their 75th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 7. The couple was married on June 7, 1950, by the Reverend Ross Partridge at the Park Avenue Church parsonage in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Marion Greene retired from Jefferson Smurfit and also worked at Peyton Olds-Cadillac and Upper Alton Cemetery. Wilma Greene was employed for 19 years at Losch Greenhouses. The couple has two daughters and sons-in-law: Susan and Mike Carroll of Alton, and Barbara and Mike Montgomery of Godfrey.

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BELLEVILLE - Maia Sebold, a resident of Belleville, earned second place in a national art competition celebrating America250, a program marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. The contest invited students to create artwork responding to the prompt, “What does America mean to you?” The competition, announced recently, drew widespread participation from across the country. For Maia, the recognition held deep personal significance. “It meant the world for her talent being recognized,” said her mother, Amber Sebold. Maia has been passionate about drawing since childhood. “I always remember drawing and things; I did it for fun and loved it. Around age 10, I realized I was really good at it,” Maia said. She said she will always be involved in art, even if not professionally. "I think I will always be doing it," she said. She described the opportunity to participate in this contest as especially meaningful. “I really enjoyed getting to

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BETHALTO - Taylor Weishaupt is organizing a fundraiser to support Hazel, a 7-year-old Bethalto girl facing a challenging medical journey due to severe scoliosis. Hazel was scheduled for a spinal procedure at the end of summer, but recent medical updates revealed she will require a halo brace before undergoing a Shilla procedure, a partial spinal fusion, necessitating a hospital stay of several months. The fundraiser aims to alleviate the financial strain on Hazel’s family during this difficult period. Hazel’s mother will be out of work throughout the hospitalization to care for her, while her father will maintain employment and look after Hazel’s two siblings. The family is preparing for an emotionally and physically taxing time ahead. “Anyone who knows Hazel knows what a light she is to the world! She is full of life, love, and laughter all the time,” Weishaupt said. “This is going to be an extremely stressful time. Physically, emotionally, and financially

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon trustees unanimously agreed on Tuesday to move forward with a new subdivision of single-family homes and attached villas, known as Meridian Grove . The new subdivision will consist of 17 single-family homes on an extension of Auerbach Place, with 16 attached villas lining a new cul-de-sac named Celtics Court. Prices for the attached villas will start in the low $400,000 range, while single-family homes will start at the mid-$500,000 mark. Spencer Homes LLC first announced the Meridian Grove project in March of 2025, describing it as a “maintenance-free residential community.” The Homeowners Association (HOA)-managed neighborhood will provide lawn care, snow and ice removal, and landscape upkeep for residents. Meridian Grove marks the fourth phase of the Meridian Plaza development project, which has welcomed multiple new businesses in recent years to the large site at the corner of IL-157 and Meridian Road. The Village Board of Trustee

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MADISON COUNTY — Efforts to reduce litter and illegal dumping in Madison County and Wood River, Bethalto, and Roxana have seen progress through increased accountability, Rusty Wheat told C.J. Nasello on Riverbender.com's Our Daily Show!. Local leaders and law enforcement have focused on holding individuals accountable for trash headed to landfills, contributing to a noticeable decline in roadside litter. “Trash is not as bad as it was,” said a volunteer involved in cleanup efforts. Wheat said he has picked up discarded items ranging from furniture to butane lighters and even shell casings found near a gun range. “I never know what I’ll find,” he said. Wheat said Madison County Chairman Chris Slusser and local officials such as Brad Wells, police chief of Wood River, and Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor have been credited with enforcing stricter sanitation rules and supporting cleanup initiatives. Community members from Roxana and Bethalto also

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EDWARDSVILLE – Fresh off the 2025 Spring Legislative Session, State Senator Erica Harriss (56th–Glen Carbon) proudly presented Senate Resolution 112, honoring members of the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) and the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) at an appreciation event today. “Our teachers play a vital role in shaping the lives of students—not just in the classroom, but throughout our communities,” said Senator Harriss. “This resolution recognizes the commitment of SURS retirees who dedicated their careers to educating future generations, building strong institutions, and enriching the fabric of our state. Their legacy continues to influence Illinois today.” Senate Resolution 112 designates June 13, 2025 as SURS Retirees Appreciation Day in Illinois, celebrating the contributions of more than 63,000 individuals who devoted their careers to the state’s higher education system. “Thank you, Senator Harriss

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SPRINGFIELD - Following reports that Texas police illegally accessed Illinois automatic license plate reader (ALPR) data to track down a woman for an abortion care-related matter, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced new measures aimed at preventing further abuse. In May, law enforcement authorities in Texas performed a nationwide search of more than 83,000 ALPR cameras to locate a woman they said had a self-administered abortion. Included in the search were cameras located in states where abortion is legal – including Illinois, specifically Mount Prospect in suburban Cook County. In 2023, Giannoulias spearheaded first-in-the-nation legislation making it illegal for law enforcement in other states to use ALPR cameras to track or penalize individuals seeking abortion care or criminalize a person’s immigration status. “License plate readers can serve as an important tool for law enforcement, but these cameras must be regulated so they aren’t abused

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs today returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the grandson of a World War II veteran who earned it while fighting to liberate Germany. The medal earned by Private First-Class Edward Gorski Jr. was returned to his grandson, Shawn Gorski, who also served in the Army. It is the 14th lost medal Frerichs has returned as part of Operation Purple Heart , an unprecedented mission to return lost medals with the rightful owners. The iconic military honor is given to individuals wounded or killed during military combat. “Mr. Gorski Jr. epitomized the selfless dedication of the Greatest Generation,” Frerichs said during a reunification ceremony at the American Legion Post 75 in Geneva, where Shawn Gorski is a member. “It is our duty to honor him no matter how many years have passed.” Military records show Chicago’s Gorski Jr. enlisted in April 1944 after turning 18 that January. He was part of the Army’s 65th

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ALTON - To “inspire young and old with the necessity of safety both for the driver and for the pedestrian,” the Alton Automobile Club declared June 14–20, 1925, “Safety Week.” While the official slogan, created by Wood River grade school student Eva Mueller and plastered on stickers and signs throughout the area, was “Caution Never Brings Regret,” the unofficial slogan printed in the Alton Evening Telegraph on June 13, 1925, was “Satan Drives with the Dare-Devil.” To kick off Safety Week, approximately 1,000 cars participated in the Safety Week parade on June 14. An automobile ferrying Eva Mueller and her parents led the procession. City officials from Alton, East Alton, Wood River and Hartford rode in the parade, and Alderman S.L. Moore, chairman of the Alton traffic committee, served as the grand marshal. “Nearly every automobile owner in Alton took part in the parade.” The procession started on College Avenue i

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Tryphena Cason, principal of Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary School in East St. Louis, passed away recently, leaving a significant legacy in the community she served. Cason devoted more than a decade to School District 189, working as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, where her leadership was marked by compassion, vision, and a commitment to excellence. During the 2023–2024 school year, Cason guided Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary to achieve the highest one-year increase in the Illinois State Board of Education summative designation score across the district, improving by nearly 28 points. This achievement reflected her relentless focus on student success. Superintendent Arthur R. Culver praised Cason’s contributions, saying, “As a proud and passionate member of the East St. Louis School District 189 community, Mrs. Cason led with heart, leaving a profound and lasting legacy in the lives of the students, families, and colleagues

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GRAFTON - Raging Rivers WaterPark will offer free admission to dads to celebrate Father’s Day. On Sunday, June 15, 2025, families are invited to Raging Rivers in Grafton for a fun day with Dad. Fathers receive free admission with the purchase of a kid’s ticket for children ages 3 and up. Kids under age 2 are admitted for free. “Ultimately, we want to create the environment that people want to come back to. We are looking to create memories of a lifetime for people,” said Jeremy Hayes, general manager. “That’s what we’re about, and that's why we’re having dads get in free. We’re hoping it’ll entice some of the families to come out and spend the day with Dad here at the park.” There are several other fun events slated for June. On Friday, June 13, 2025, families can come out for “Family Fun Night.” The park will stay open late until 9 p.m. and guests can enjoy a reduced admission rate of $24.99. From

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Fairview Heights Police Officer Molly Muennich was released from a St. Louis area hospital on the afternoon of June 11, 2025, and was escorted to the Fairview Heights Police Department, where residents and first responders gathered to welcome her home. The event marked a moment of community support and solidarity for Officer Muennich. The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department noted the occasion and offered prayers for her continued strength.

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ALTON - The Mississippi River Festival is two weeks away, and organizers Nick Bifano and Zack Johnson couldn’t be more excited. After a successful revival in 2024, the 2025 MRF will stretch over two days on June 27 and 28, 2025, at the Alton Amphitheater. Bifano and Johnson promise a “festival atmosphere” celebrating music, art and the Alton community. “Our whole intent with all this is to keep excellence at the forefront,” Bifano said. “Between the lineup, between all the vendors we’ve got coming, the sound and lighting, all the things, it’s a really concerted effort to honor this festival and move it forward.” On Friday, June 27, Ben Rector headlines, supported by Wilder Woods, Allen Stone, Brian Owens Soul, and Beth Bombara. On Saturday, June 28, attendees can enjoy Blackberry Smoke, Drew Halcomb & the Neighbors, Nikki Lane, Brent Cobb, Kassi Ashton, Jeremie Albino, Zach Person, and Riley Holtz & the Lost Cause. Th

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and other Democratic colleagues in introducing legislation to support our military readiness and national security by prohibiting discrimination against transgender servicemembers. “If you are willing to risk your life for our country and you can do the job, it shouldn’t matter if you are gay, straight, transgender, Black, white or anything else,” said Duckworth. “Every transgender servicemember earned their role through rigorous training and is more qualified to serve in those roles than Pete Hegseth is to be Secretary of Defense. I’m proud to join Senator Warren and my Democratic colleagues in working to reverse the Trump Administration’s offensive transgender military ban, which is disruptive to our military, hurts readiness and not only does nothing to strengthen our national security—it actively makes things worse.”

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GODFREY ­ – Samantha “Reyez” Hangsleben, an Edwardsville High School (EHS) senior, earned their associate degree from Lewis and Clark Community College on May 21 – weeks before their high school graduation on June 1. Hangsleben, who was adopted from Vietnam, participated in a cohort program between L&C and EHS during their junior year, which allowed them to take college courses while completing high school. Initially motivated by the idea of earning an associate degree, Hangsleben quickly recognized that it would be a challenge. “I calculated that I could only achieve this by taking extra classes,” they said. As a result, they enrolled in summer and winter classes in addition to taking extra courses during the spring and fall semesters. As chief photographer for their high school yearbook, Hangsleben balanced shooting events, teaching photography skills, and serving as an officer in the German Club and president of the German

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ALTON - Children and “children at heart” are sure to enjoy week two of the Alton Municipal Band’s 135th summer season of concerts in the parks, as the “almost world famous” Children’s Concert kicks off at Riverview and Haskell Parks. Selections for the children include songs from beloved Disney cartoons and animated movies. Thematic music, evoking images of train rides to faraway places, will delight both the young and old. The band, directed this week by David Drillinger, will perform Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday night at 7 p.m. The Thursday concert, at Riverview Park, overlooks the scenic Mississippi River. The Sunday concert, at Haskell Park, will be held at the picturesque setting in front of the Lucy Haskell Playhouse. Blazer, the mascot from Lewis and Clark Community College, will be present for photos and fun. Blazer will also lead the weekly park parade, a cherished Municipal Band tradition. Families are encouraged to bring

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JERSEYVILLE – Classic car enthusiasts and Liberty Village residents alike gathered for a car show on a sunny Wednesday, June 11, 2025. After a highly successful first year, Liberty Village plans to bring the car show back as an annual event. Members of the Jersey County Street Machine Association and White Hall Drag-O-Way car clubs joined the festivities at Liberty Village of Jerseyville with a variety of about 30 makes and models from decades past. Also on hand were hot dogs and hamburgers fresh off the grill, and a “cooling station” with water, lemonade, and plenty of shade. Lorie Hunter with Liberty Village said the event’s main purpose was to get residents outdoors and stimulate their memories with the sights and sounds of a classic car show. After being rescheduled from last week due to rain, she said the car show made for a nice Father’s Day event. “We got nothing but positive feedback,” Hunter said of the car show. “When they

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