Riverbender 🕸

WORDEN - The Mardi Gras celebration, 'Wordi Gras,' in Worden was once again a huge hit, and Rick Landrem, of the Yellow Dog Bar and Cafe, said with the perfect weather on Saturday the event was simply “spectacular” this year. Landrem said the beauty of the event is everyone has fun from young to old, and it is a perfect Mardi Gras celebration year in and year out. He said the event means so much every year to the businesses in Worden, including the Yellow Dog Bar and Cafe, which serves fresh Jumbalia all day long, along with corn dogs, cheeseburgers, and alligator on this particular day. The heavy presence of trucks, tractors (old and new), farm equipment, and country feel makes it special each year. “Our food is homemade except for the alligator of course, which is brought in,” he said. “About 99 percent of the people who come that day know Worden exists because of Wordi Gras. It is a huge event. Once again, we didn’t have any problems, everybody

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness (SREE) Series featured Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Derek Houston, PhD, associate professor in educational leadership, in a recent webinar on Monday, Feb. 13. Houston's current scholarship is centered at the intersection of quantification and criticalism which includes thinking deeply about the training of future scholars. In the webinar, he discussed the pedagogical considerations and possibilities of critical quantification and offered insights into the complexities of the sustainability of critical quantification. “The hope for those who watched the webinar is that they will begin to think deeply and critically about how and where they teach quantitative methods,” said Houston. “I also hope that current and future quantitative methods instructors will think about how they engage with students, particularly with students that may not be or have not been as represented as

Continue Reading

ALTON - Mac's in Downtown Alton has announced a new treat for area parents each Monday that features the Little Mac's Kids dinner program. From now on Mondays, kids under age 12 will eat free of charge on the Little Mac Menu from 3 to 8 p.m. The menu consists of chicken tenders, 7-inch cheese pizza, a hotdog, a little Mac slider, a grilled cheese, and all Little Mac meals are served with a side of fries, applesauce, or fruit. Rob Lenhardt, an owner of Mac's and spokesperson, said the move to have the Mondays For Little Mac's program is just another way for the business to give back to the community. "I have a 2-year-old now and your perspective changes when you have kids," he said. "It isn't always easy to go out to eat or cheap either. We wanted to do this for the community and it is coming from the parent's point of view. It will also make it easier on parents because there will be more kids there on Mondays." Rob laughed and said if a child acts up a bit parents won't feel s

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – Liquor delivery services will be expanded thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Christopher Belt that was signed into law Friday. “We have continuously taken strides to uplift our small businesses, and this is a big win for Illinois bars and restaurants,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This expansion allows businesses to bring in more revenue and increases access for people across the state.” In partnership with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Belt’s initiative will eliminate state and local fees for liquor delivery throughout Illinois. Additionally, it brings parity for liquor delivery between home-rule and non-home rule municipalities to regulate liquor delivery. Senate Bill 1001 also lowers the licensing fees for wineries to $750 if renewed online and $900 for initial or non-online certification. Under a law passed in 2021, the fees were raised to $1,200 if renewed online and $1,500 for initial licenses and non-online.

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that a Perry County man was convicted of possessing and reproducing child pornography. The case is part of the Attorney General’s ongoing work to apprehend offenders who download and trade child pornography online. A Perry County jury convicted Timothy E. Hedrick, 42, of Cutler, Illinois, of three counts of reproduction of child pornography, Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and five counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. Hedrick was remanded to the custody of the Perry County Jail. His sentencing is scheduled for March 13. “Child pornography leaves victims and their families with lifelong scars,” Raoul said. “My office is committed to working with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and local law enforcement to track down individuals who perpetrate these horrible crimes and hold them accountable.” Raoul&rsqu

Continue Reading

GODFREY – YouthBuild/AmeriCorps students from Lewis and Clark Community College’s Scott Bibb Center recently teamed up with the Madison County Partnership to End Homelessness for Project Homeless Connect. Project Homeless Connect is an effort to provide homeless and at-risk families with immediate goods and services. L&C student Aiden Connor described what it was like helping someone who is close to his own age. “I met a 21-year-old who shared with me about their PTSD, their experience being homeless and how they’re trying to make a change in their life,” he said. “This experience really touched me and helped me to realize that I can help those in my community." Another student, Kyan O’Bannon, really liked how it felt to connect with people. “I really liked seeing the smile on peoples’ faces when we were able to help them,” he said. “I had some interesting conversations.” The event took place at the River

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), along with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) are encouraging Illinois farmers to set aside time to recognize Grain Bin Safety Week from February 19-25 and review safety practices while working in and around grain bins. According to researchers at Purdue University, more than 900 cases of grain engulfment have been reported with a fatality rate of 62% in the past 50 years ending in 2010. In 2010, at least 26 U.S. workers were killed in grain engulfment accidents - the highest number on record. It only takes 4 seconds for a full grown adult to sink to their knees in flowing grain and 20 seconds to be completely buried in flowing grain. Suffocation from engulfment is the leading cause of death in grain bins. “Often times we become complacent when doing tasks we have done a thousand times and for farmers that often means working in and around grain bins,” said IDOA Director, Jerry Costello II.

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker today signed HB0009 into law, authorizing an easier process for individuals seeking to change the gender listed on their birth certificate. Previously, amending a birth certificate’s gender marker required certification from a health care professional that the individual had undergone gender reassignment surgery or other clinical treatment. The updated law allows changes to the birth certificate providing the petitioner signs a statement affirming their gender identity or intersex condition, opening an easier path to legal recognition for transgender Illinoisans. “Here in Illinois, we recognize that gender transition is a personal journey that doesn’t always follow a prescriptive medical path, but still deserves to be honored legally,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In a time of increasing violence and hateful rhetoric against the trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming community, it is more important than ever to reaffirm

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director John J. Kim today announced $21,046,025 in grants to six communities across the State through Illinois EPA’s Unsewered Communities Construction Grant Program (UCCGP). Made possible through the Governor’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, these grants will allow underserved communities to construct dependable wastewater collection and/or treatment systems. "No community should be forced to function without a high quality water infrastructure system,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan is ushering our state’s wastewater infrastructure into the 21st Century, providing solutions that work for everyone. Thanks to this grant program, residents across the state will reap the benefits of a safe home, clean streets, clean water and clean air.” This is the second of five planned funding rounds for this program, whic

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office has charged a former Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital employee who allegedly stole and sold approximately 10 tanks of nitrous oxide, a medical gas used as an anesthetic in medical procedures and surgeries. The Attorney General’s office charged Mitchell R. Gunther, 39, of Burbank, Illinois today with one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison; two counts of theft over $500, Class 3 felonies each punishable by two to five years in prison; and two counts of possession of nitrous oxide with the intent to deliver, Class 3 felonies each punishable by two to five years in prison. Gunther’s bond was set at $10,000, and his next court date is scheduled for March 20. “The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital uses its supply of nitrous oxide to safely perform critical and life-saving surgeries on sick children and teens. It is outrageous that

Continue Reading

ALTON - Often children learn prejudice and racism from the grownups in their life. Even well-intentioned adults can pass along bias by not having deliberate conversations about diversity and race. Diverstory: Reading for Equity is a program designed to empower families so they feel better prepared to talk about race and racism with children. Hosted by YWCA and Post Commons, Diverstory is a free story time for children ages 2- 10 years, where children and their grownups come together to listen to children’s stories about diversity and engage in conversations and activities about diversity, belonging, and race. Every family will receive copies of the books that are read to take home and continue intentional conversations about race. Our aim is to equip children and adults with the resources and support they need to join in the work of bringing change and equity to our community. The facilitators for this event are Candice Wallace and Becky Cowart. Candice, lifelong Alton area

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs recently held its 112th annual convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. One of the highlights of the annual event is the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant. Paige Van Dyke of Lewisville, IL, 20, was crowned the 63rd Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. Paige represented Clay County at the 112th Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention on Sunday. Van Dyke is the daughter of John and Katrina Van Dyke and is currently attending Oklahoma State University majoring in ag communications with a minor in special education. She hopes to someday start an agriculture program for special needs students. MacKenzie Moyer of Macoupin County was a finalist. Van Dyke will be a summer employee of the Department of Agriculture. She will travel to about 30 county fairs and will be the official hostess of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair. As queen, Van Dyke’s main duty is to emphasize

Continue Reading

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s newest dean isn’t new to the college at all – he’s been teaching mathematics there since 1997. Randy Gallaher, of Brighton, celebrated his 25 th anniversary at Lewis and Clark in 2022 as a professor of mathematics, then started the new year in his new role – Dean of Liberal Arts, Business, and Information Technology. Gallaher began his run at L&C as a mathematics instructor, working his way up to the position of professor and serving as coordinator of the Mathematics Department for 15 years. He has taught at nearly every level of education, including middle and high school, and has served on the Board of Education for the Southwestern School District since 2011, a seat he will vacate after his term ends in April. An administrative position was never part of his plan, but as dean, Gallaher hopes to provide the necessary resources and support mechanisms so faculty and staff can create the best possible

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Middle School went into a temporary lock-down mode today after Alton Police investigated a report of shots fired in the Rock Springs and Salu area, Alton Chief Jarrett Ford said. Chief Ford said the report came to the police earlier today. He said as a precautionary measure, they contacted Alton Middle School officials and they decided to do a temporary lock-down. "We saw no indication of shots being fired and we canvassed the entire area and also kept a close watch on it the entire afternoon," he said. "At no time did we see that students or staff at the middle school were in danger. A lockdown was just done as a precaution for those at Alton Middle School. We contacted the school and told them everything was clear, so the lockdown stopped." Chief Ford said once the lockdown ended, the students were dismissed on their normal schedules.

Continue Reading

ALTON - The demolition of the building that once housed the old Duncan Foundry and then Lenhardt Tool and Die businesses at 501 Piasa Street in Alton by SLT Demolition in St. Louis is showing progress each day. Much has been accomplished this week with demolition from the roof to the floor of parts of the old building. Duncan Foundry opened in Alton in 1884, historian Don Huber said. Beams and metal have been coming down each day. Bulldozers have been very active this week and metal is being actively recycled from the tear-down. Duncan Foundry became Lenhardt Tool and Die in 1983. Jack Lenhardt was the owner of the business at that time. Mac Lenhardt, the owner of Mac’s in Downtown Alton, worked at Lenhardt Tool and Die for many years from 1983 to 2003. His father owned the tool and die business until 2018 when he closed it. Mac also started Mac’s in downtown Alton on Dec. 16, 1983, and he continues to work a second job today in a Granite City machine shop. Mac said

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - Early voting in Jersey County begins in less than a week on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, for the consolidated election on April 4. While Jersey County Clerk Pam Warford said she expects voter turnout to be more of a gradual buildup this election, there are a few contested races in Jerseyville that should draw some attention, including the race for Mayor. “Normally, consolidated elections are not high-turnout elections, so I don’t anticipate this to be nearly as big as your typical general election - and particularly with early voting this early on, I don’t anticipate a rush to the doors,” Warford said. “But as it gets closer to election time, I’m sure it will pick up and hopefully we’ll have a decent turnout. “The City of Jerseyville has a few contested races for their commissioners and Mayor which are drawing some attention, so I’ll be curious to see how that affects our turnout,” she added. “Jersey Community

Continue Reading

CARLINVILLE - Macoupin County is gearing up for early voting to start on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 - but without many contested races, Macoupin County Clerk Pete Duncan said he expects a fairly light early voter turnout. “There’s not a ton of races with a lot of competition in the county, so if we get a couple hundred early voters, that would probably be a pretty good turnout,” Duncan said. “It’ll probably be a pretty light election for us.” Several candidates have filed to run as school board members, alderpeople, trustees, and more across several cities and villages in Macoupin County. The full list of current candidates is available on macoupinvotes.gov . Early voting in Macoupin County will be available at the County Clerk’s Office on the first floor of the Macoupin County Courthouse, located at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville. Early voting hours will be Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Duncan added that on Saturday,

Continue Reading

ALTON - Ernest Griffin, a former employee of Duncan Foundry in Alton, just happened to be in the Downtown Alton area Thursday and spent some time with riverbender.com reflecting on his experience there in the mold area. Duncan Foundry was started in 1884 in Alton. Duncan Foundry was always innovative and able to stay ahead of the curve on technology in the beginning. In the 1950s, the company became a leader in the production of ductile iron castings and this line helped keep the company competitive. Duncan Foundry was a big part of the Alton community and played a significant impact on the world of manufacturing. James H. Duncan and the company donated generously to local charities and civic organizations and promoted the arts. Much of the Duncan art legacy lives on at the Alton Museum of History & Art, which houses the collection. Sam Duncan was the last president of the company before it was sold to the Lenhardt family. Ernest and Don Huber, the former Alton Township

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has chosen to honor Edwardsville High School student Montrez West with the Student of the Month Award for the month of February. Montrez West was nominated by Edwardsville High School weightlifting instructor and football coach, Matt Martin. Montrez is the son of Kevin and Latonya West. Montrez plays basketball and baseball at EHS. Respectfully, he was a member of the 2022 State Championship with the Edwardsville High School varsity baseball team. After high school, Montrez plans to further pursue a career in baseball in college while pursuing a degree in sports management. In his free time, Montrez often plays the drums at his local church, hangs out with his friends and family, and plays video games. The Edwardsville Rotary Club recognizes a student each month September through April. Each May, Edwardsville High School staff chooses one of the monthly winners to receive the $1,500 Edwardsville EHS Rotary Scholarship. The awards have been

Continue Reading

Letter To The Editor: Questions are swirling in Wood River about candidates for City Council. Most residents know me and my position. I have been a vocal opponent to the Rec Center. In my opinion, the Rec Center will hinder economic development, lower property values, increase taxes and fees, hurt our schools, cause families to live elsewhere, thus hurting our growth and prosperity. According to a recent report by the Park and Rec Director, the city it is now classified as an “Economically Depressed Community”. Some took this information as a good sign, because the city now qualifies for additional state grant consideration. To me, this is terrible news and an embarrassment. Each and every voter should be appalled that the current and prior City Councils have allowed this community to deteriorate to this state. There is no excuse for this mismanagement. Unfortunately, voters should not be surprised that Wood River is now in this classification. The current council has

Continue Reading