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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis metropolitan area still has the most efficient inland port district in the nation, according to the latest data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The St. Louis region’s barge industry handled over four times the national average tons moved per river mile in 2021 (the most recent year for which data is available). The average number of tons per mile across the other seven inland port districts in the U.S. was 104,014 - the St. Louis region averaged 427,000 tons per mile. “The St. Louis harbor continues to be the most concentrated location on the Inland Waterway for export grain,” said David Jump, CEO of American Milling, LP. “Transportation efficiencies, facilities, and geography combine to result in lower costs for shippers. This results in the St. Louis region’s position as a global freight hub.” The findings come from an independent report by S&P Global Commodity Insights analyzing USACE data to

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville boys swimming standout Cohen Osborn is enjoying another stellar season for the Tigers, having won a majority of his events so far. The latest came on Jan. 20, when in the Swim For Hope meet at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center, Osborn won three individual events - the 50-yard freestyle at 22.24 seconds, the 50-yard backstroke at 24.17 seconds, and the 50-yard butterfly at 23.69 seconds -- and was also a part of the 200-yard medley relay team who won the event at 45.10 seconds. The Tigers swam well overall, placing in third with 333 points, behind meet winner O'Fallon, who had 431 points, and runner-up Springfield High, who scored 362 points. Osborn swam many races during the day, giving his all in each heat, and at the end of the day, he was tired, yet very gratified. Osborn is a Johnston Law Firm Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. Osborn thought his best performance came in the 50-yard freestyle final, which had a qualifying round and a semifinal round,

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Three key concerns for Madison County Chairman candidate Chris Slusser are property taxes, economic development, and trash issues. He visited with C.J. Nasello, the host of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com recently. The other candidate for the chairman position, incumbent Kurt Prenzler, will be interviewed soon on the show and also have stories posted about his appearance. EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Chairman candidate Chris Slusser, the incumbent county treasurer, gets many visits from patrons to his office about property taxes. Many want reform in this area and if he is elected, he plans to make this a top priority. “We have to expand the tax base so don’t have to increase property taxes,” Slusser said. He also said adding more manufacturing and business to the area would help regarding property taxes. “I feel we have missed some opportunities with economic development,” he said. Slusser will converse more on the country and economic development

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ALTON - Siteman Cancer Center, Alton Memorial Hospital, and Senior Services Plus are hosting a Bingo Lunch and Learn in Senior Service Plus’s School House Grill on February 27 from noon until 3 p.m. The mission of this event is to promote preventative cancer screenings, but in a unique way. The passionate health professionals from Siteman and Alton Memorial Hospital are collaborating to share facts about lung cancer screening and eligibility through fun activities and conversation. “We are so excited to be working with Senior Services Plus to put on this fun and social event to help spread awareness around lung cancer screening guidelines and who might be eligible.” – Rachelle Roy, Public Health Research Coordinator with Siteman Cancer Center. The hosts will give a short and informative presentation with a Q&A session, followed by several rounds of Bingo with exciting prizes and smaller giveaways. A free congregate lunch will be available to those 60 and

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WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) voted today to provide working families and consumers with critical tax relief at a time of continued economic challenges. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act enhances the Child Tax Credit, expands American innovation and competitiveness, and cuts through red tape for small businesses. “At a time when many Southern Illinoisans are fighting to make ends meet, I’m proud to support pro-growth tax relief for working families and job creators alike,” said Bost. “On one hand, we strengthen our economy with commonsense, conservative reforms. On the other, we strengthen our families by extending the Child Tax Credit with the same vetting measures put in place by President Trump in 2017. These important steps forward will help us overcome the high inflation, supply chain crisis, and economic uncertainty experienced under the Biden administration.” The legislation is endorsed by Americans for Tax

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) today met with Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena to discuss the Chicago Hub Improvement Project (CHIP), Amtrak’s multi-phased project to revitalize Chicago Union Station (CUS) and revolutionize Midwest passenger rail. During the meeting, the congressional leaders and Vena spoke about the importance of CHIP to the Midwest, as the project is critical to the region’s infrastructure improvement, connectivity, and economic growth. Involvement and support from the freight railroads will be important to completing CHIP, and Vena expressed his willingness to be helpful in moving the project forward. “Rail has always been a vital component of our state’s infrastructure. As we move forward with the Chicago Hub Improvement Project, we want all stakeholders, including Union Pacific, to share the same vision of improving Midwest

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SPRINGFIELD – New copays and coinsurance for existing enrollees in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) programs will go into effect on Feb. 1, as the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) previously announced . Most services covered by the HBIA and HBIS programs, which provide health care coverage for individuals who would be eligible for Medicaid coverage if not for their immigration status, will continue to be free for customers, including primary care visits, prescription medications and vaccinations at a pharmacy or doctor’s office. The new copays and co-insurance will apply to the use of non-emergency hospital or surgical center services, like nonemergent elective surgeries, physical therapy and lab work. Copays are fixed amounts paid for health care services covered by a health plan, while coinsurance is a type of cost-sharing where a customer pays a percentage of the total price for a covere

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted Illinois’s strength as a leader in research and technology with IBM Senior Vice President and Director of Research Dr. Darío Gil. Duckworth discussed Illinois’s leadership in quantum investments, including The Bloch, one of the state’s two programs recently designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as a Tech Hub , as well as the state’s leading Universities and National Laboratories, which contribute to its ability to remain at the forefront of research and innovation for generations to come. A photo from today’s meeting is available on the Senator’s website . “Illinois is a leader in our country’s quantum revolution, and our state is making it clear that we are ready to compete and have the projects and innovation right here to bring our state, nation and world into the future,” Duckworth said. “I had a productive meeting

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, met with Speakers of the Baltic countries and their ambassadors to discuss continued efforts to strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics, support Ukraine, and defend against increasing Russian and Chinese belligerence. Durbin was joined by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ). The Senators met with Lauri Hussar, President of the Riigikogu of Estonia; Daiga Mierina, Speaker of Saeima of Latvia; Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, Speaker of Seimas of Lithuania; Kristjan Prikk, Ambassador of Estonia to the U.S.; Maris Selga, Ambassador of Latvia to the U.S.; and Audra Plepyte, Ambassador of Lithuania to the U.S. “Not only do I have strong personal ties to the region, but the Baltic countries are essential NATO partners in upholding democratic values and transatlantic security,” said Durbin. “The Baltics are among Ukraine’s

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COLLINSVILLE - Senior forward Olivia Kolnsberg returned in earnest to the lineup for the Edwardsville girls basketball team on Jan. 30, making a good contribution to the Tigers' 60-26 win over Collinsville at Vergil Fletcher Gym. Kolnsberg had been out due to an upper-body injury she suffered in practice back in December, returning against the Kahoks, and although she didn't score, helped with the defensive play, which has been very good in recent games, also being a point of emphasis with head coach Bryan Young. It all came together against Collinsville, as the Tigers held the Kahoks to one of their lowest point totals of the season, and dominated in the second and third quarters to take the win. Kohlsberg is a Johnston Law Firm Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. In her post-game interview, Kolnsberg felt happy to be back on the floor and helping her teammates in the win. "I just think tonight was a really good win, and we needed it, definitely, with the postseason coming

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In 2023, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) increased the clearance rate for homicide cases in East St. Louis by 29% over 2022. ISP made arrests, had charges filed, and turned cases over to the courts in 67% of its homicide cases in East St. Louis last year, compared to 44% in both 2022 and 2021. PSEG also worked with the Division of Patrol Troop 8 and the South Special Operations Group (SOG) to seize almost 500 guns and almost 200 pounds of illegal drugs from Metro East streets. “The work our PSEG agents are doing in East St. Louis increased the homicide clearance rate in 2023 to a level never seen before,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly . “In the Metro East area alone, ISP agents and officers made hundreds of arrests resulting in thousands of criminal charges in 2023. ISP remains committed to making Metro East communities safer.” In 2023, ISP established

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EAST ALTON - Wieland released some additional information and comments from Wieland CEO Dr. Erwin Mayr, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Greg Keown, President of Wieland Rolled Products North America Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, about its upcoming landmark expansion. On January 17, 2024, Wieland, a leading global supplier of high-quality copper and copper alloy solutions, announced its plans to make a landmark $500 million capital investment to re-equip, expand, and modernize its facility located in East Alton, Illinois. The investment is subject to the approval of state and local incentives. The comprehensive expansion project intended in East Alton, signifies Wieland’s commitment to technological advancement, long-term sustainability, and its extensive and valued customer base in North America. The project includes the installation of an additional state-of-the-art hot rolling mill that will allow Wieland to increase and improve its production of critical copper and copper alloy component

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ALTON - The City of Alton announced on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, that it is planning improvements to Fosterburg Road from Culp Lane north to the south end of the center concrete median 825 feet south of Illinois Route 255. This project will include widening and resurfacing to add a center two-way left turn lane and paved shoulders like the pavement south of Culp Lane. This project is being funded by a grant through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program which targets projects that can reduce congestion and improve air quality. The amount of the grant is $1,985,000. The main feature that qualified this project for funding is the proposed left turn lanes at the intersection of Fosterburg Road with Harris Lane and Prince Road. “Our city road improvements aren’t just about asphalt and concrete," Alton Mayor David Goins said. "These improvements are about building better connections regionally, enhancing safety, and fostering economic growth within

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ST. LOUIS - Two men from St. Louis have been charged in separate cases with aggravated unlawful use of weapons in Venice after illegally carrying firearms on Christmas Eve 2023, according to Madison County court documents. Christopher M. Ussery, 37, of St. Louis, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapons and aggravated attempting to elude a peace officer on Dec. 24, 2023. Ussery allegedly carried a Glock 19 9mm handgun that was “uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible at the time of the offense,” according to court documents. He also did not have a valid Concealed Carry license or Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card at the time of the offense. Ussery’s case was presented by the Venice Police Department, and he faces two Class 2 felonies for aggravated unlawful use of weapons and aggravated attempting to elude a peace officer. Court documents indicate he was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Ch

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EDWARDSVILLE - Three individuals are facing various weapon-related charges filed in Madison County since December 2023, according to Madison County court documents released last week. Lamontra Conner Jr., 29, of St. Louis, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of weapons by a felon on Dec. 31, 2023. Court documents allege Conner unlawfully possessed two handguns after having been convicted of Robbery, 1st Degree. The specific firearms in this case were a Taurus G3C 9mm pistol and a Davis Industries D38 .38 caliber revolver. Conner’s case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department, and he faces a Class 2 felony for each of the two counts. Court documents indicate he was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Willie J. Williams-Eubanks II, 24, of Belleville, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapons. On Dec. 26, 2023, Williams-Eubanks allegedly carried a SCCY CPX-2 9mm handgun in his vehicle while in an unauthorized

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GRAFTON - A new proposed mountain bike trail at Pere Marquette State Park will become a reality in the spring of 2024. Pere Marquette State Park Natural Resources Coordinator Lev Smolianski is an experienced mountain biker and he said he knows there is sincere interest in the trail expansion at Pere Marquette State Park. "We are excited about it," he said. "We will bring more people to Pere Marquette State Park and it will be a wonderful shared space. The mountain trails will be about 3 to 3.5 miles long. One of the sections still has to be cut. We are in essence following the existing trail path, but cutting some additional space." Smolianski said in his time in the region he has discovered a strong interest in mountain biking with many enthusiasts. Smolianski said the new planned trails are not open to mountain bikes at this time but an opening date will be announced. He also said as shown in this map in blue (above) the trail will be a mountain bike-only trail. "The trail

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Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Look no further! From book sales to live music, there's an event for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are into crafting, gaming, or learning, our community has a variety of events that promise to brighten your weekend. For a full event listing, be sure to visit riverbender.com/events . If you're feeling crafty, the Community Sewing Project invites teens to team up with X’s and Sews for a heartwarming sewing project. Whether you're skilled with a needle or just want to lend a helping hand, your efforts will provide comfort to those in need through handmade blankets, hats, gloves, and scarves. Ready for some toe-tapping music? The Harvest Drive Band LIVE @ Post 1308 is set to deliver an exhilarating performance full of Country Blues and Southern Rock vibes. Grab your friends and head to Alton VFW Post 1308 for a night of live music and dancing! Feeling lucky? Don't miss the Alton Area Mouse Races! Organized by the Alton Area

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ALTON - New Frontiers Home & Garden Furnishings Company will celebrate its 46th anniversary with a major sale starting Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, and running through the month. Located at 101 W. 3rd Street in Alton, New Frontiers is a full-line furniture store that has had quite a history over the past 46 years. Owner Ed Benz said it feels good to celebrate this milestone, and he is proud of how the business has grown over the decades. “A lot of customers can’t believe that this is the same store, the same owners. It’s pretty rewarding when you talk to people and they bought stuff years and years ago,” Benz said. “We’ve got a loyal customer base. The anniversary sale is just our way of thanking everybody in the community because we could have never done it without them.” When New Frontiers started in 1978, it was an unfinished wood furniture store. They eventually broadened their offerings to finished pieces and soft goods like sofas. The

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that all lanes of Illinois 157 from 0.2 miles north of Horseshoe Lake Road to the St. Clair County line will require intermittent daytime lane closures beginning, weather permitting, on Thursday, Feb. 1. The lane closures are necessary for the evaluation of pavement conditions. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOT District 8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Fire Department and Glen Carbon Fire Protection District will once again offer free CPR classes throughout the month of February to encourage as many people as possible to learn this life-saving technique. “Start With the Heart” will provide a series of weeknight and weekend opportunities to learn and practice basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques and other skills. Participants will attend one free two-hour session. The first classes will get underway on Saturday, February 3, and be offered again on Tuesdays and Saturdays through the end of February. The free series of classes debuted in February 2023, on the heels of a CPR success story in Edwardsville that led to commendations for members of the public and first responders. In 2022, both departments implemented an enhanced form of CPR intended to boost the speed and efficiency of their response to cardiac incidents. Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said the enhanced

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