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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Saturday, October 21, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Joseph Blalock, 31 years of age, of the 6100 block of Alabama in St. Louis, Missouri 63111, for one count of Knowingly Burning or Exploding. A booking photo of Blalock is attached. Blalock is being held on $50,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: Defendant is on video on Thursday, October 12, 2023 stacking up trash and wood pallets behind Floor & Decor in South County. Defendant is then on video on October 14, 2023, throwing an item onto the pile, which results in a fire. The fire burns a fence owned by Floor & Decor. Defendant is also on video at a nearby gas station smoking a cigarette less than 10 minutes before the fire was started and he admits that it is him in the video. St. Louis County

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WOOD RIVER - This is a Veteran Salute on Wood River's Ernie Maguire. Vet name: Ernie Maguire Hometown: Wood River Years of service: 1942 -1966 Date Of Death: 04-20-1970 1970-04-20 Branch: U.S. Navy rank: Lt. Commander Wars: WWII / Korea Medals honors earned: Naval Air Medal (2) Distinguished Flying Cross Note: Ernie Maguire was a Naval Attack Pilot (Inducted into EAWR High Hall of Fame - 10/21/23) Submitter name: Michael Maguire

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), alongside U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), led 30 Senate colleagues in a bipartisan letter urging the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure over-the-counter birth control is available for servicemembers and their families on military bases, without a copay and without a prescription. In July, the Food and Drug Administration approved Opill as the first daily oral contraceptive available without a prescription. “Access to contraception, as well as education about it, increases readiness and improves quality of life for our servicemembers and their families,” wrote the senators. “We write to urge the Department of Defense (DoD) to expand TRICARE coverage to include OTC contraceptives with no cost-sharing or prescription requirement. We also request the DoD stock OTC contraceptives in military treatment facilities, pharmacies,

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WOOD RIVER - A building in downtown Wood River at 2 W. Ferguson Ave. and Wood River Ave. was being demolished on Tuesday. Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup said the location is one of the first areas to be viewed as a driver enters the city and said the plan is to use it for green space and bench areas, and that some funds will possibly be raised for a bandstand. “The building has been used for a variety of things from a coffee shop, general offices and much more over the years,” he said. “The building was in bad shape and had gone through a lot. After a study, it was determined it was best to demolish it.” Mayor Stalcup said he and others made trips to other municipalities to see their points of entry, adding first impressions are very important. “We want to make this corner as attractive as possible,” he said. “A lot of traffic goes by that corner. I think the City Administrator Steve Palen has some good plans on what to do with the area. It

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GODFREY - After a lifetime of service to the Village of Godfrey, Bertha “Bert” Roberts was honored with a street dedicated in her memory. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, Roberts’s family gathered on Pearl Street in Godfrey for the unveiling of a new sign that declares the street to be “Bert Roberts Memorial Drive.” Roberts, Godfrey’s first Public Works Director, passed away in March 2023 at the age of 94. “Bert was a great lady,” Mayor Mike McCormick said during the dedication ceremony. “Her name will still be out there.” Roberts’s husband, Lloyd “Jack” Roberts, served as the Highway Commissioner of Godfrey Township until his passing in 1986. Roberts filled the remainder of his term and was then reelected. Godfrey Township became a village in 1991, and the Board of Trustees appointed Roberts as the village’s first Public Works Director in 1993. She stayed in this role until her retirement in 1998. Through

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) is asking for your help in paying tribute to our service men and women this Veterans Day by submitting a photo and story of their loved one to be displayed in the Illinois Capitol Rotunda from November 7 through November 20. “Honoring our veterans is extremely important. Having their photos and stories on display in the capitol rotunda is only fitting given the sacrifices and dedication they’ve made to serve and protect our country and our freedoms,” said Senator Harriss. “I encourage anyone who knows someone who has served to make a submission, and I look forward to seeing the tribute wall in person.” Families are asked to submit a photo and written story (max: 250 words) along with the following information: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI

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GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School tennis players Natalie Beck and Kennedi Taylor have made quite a name for themselves with their efforts in post-season play. Both girls are now recognized as Byron Carlson Petri and Kalb Female Athletes of Month for the Griffins. The girls combined for a 3-2 record at the state tennis tournament this past weekend in an outstanding performance. The two are a strong doubles combination. Beck, a sophomore, said she is grateful for the time her coaches provided the squad to help grow the team. “This is only Father McGivney Catholic’s second year of having a tennis program,” she said. “There is also no way I would be here without my dad, who played tennis in college and works with us all the time. My mom is my biggest cheerleader and keeps me positive. And my little sister by seven minutes, Maddie, inspires me so much and is an excellent practice partner.” Callahan Adams, Jim Barenkamp, and Tana DeBouck ar

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EAST ALTON - The East Alton, Alton, Roxana and Wood River fire departments responded to a house fire on Charlene Street in East Alton around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. “The house itself just had some exterior damage,” said East Alton Fire Chief Tim Quigley. “ lost an unattached garage and work equipment in it.” There were no injuries. The fire was ruled accidental. Electric lines in the garage were an added concern, but Quigley said this did not pose further problems. “The electrical was secondary,” he added. “It was actually the overhead lines of the detached garage. It was not the cause of the fire or had anything to do with the fire itself.” Emergency vehicles were on the scene within minutes and the fire was quickly extinguished.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Realtor Lisa Webb with Third Street Realty has plenty of properties for sale on the local market in Godfrey, Fidelity, and more. She discussed the homes she has available on the latest Third On Third segment on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . One such home, located at 3305 Whiteclif Lane in Godfrey at a price of $114,900, has a lot of potential, though Webb noted the margins on it are more suitable for those planning to move in rather than flip it quickly. “If you want to fix it up and live in it and recoup some of that, absolutely. It can be so gorgeous,” Webb said of the Godfrey property. “It could very easily turn into something just really remarkable with the river and everything.” A single-family home in Fidelity listed at $47,900 features three bedrooms, one bathroom, an oversized two-car detached garage, an extra lot, a walk-out basement, and more. Another property in Vandalia listed at just $42,900 has

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GLEN CARBON - Jane Cummins is one of the backbone components of Father McGivney Catholic's exceptional girls' cross-country team this season. McGivney captured a regional championship this past Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 at Trenton-Wesclin, and Cummins was once again a bright spot - running 20:32 for three miles for 10th place in the girls' race. In track and field, Cummins is outstanding. Last year, she ran a 2:29.56 to win the Madison County 800-meter championship and a time of 5:32.80 at the IHSA 1A Girls State Meet for the 1,600 meters. Cummins is a Byron, Carlson, Petri and Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Cummins was part of the McGivney 4 x 800 relay squad that placed second in the IHSA State Meet with a time of 9:35.35. Kaitlyn Hatley, Lily Gilbertson, and Elena Rybak joined her as members of that squad. Cummins said she loves running with all the girls and that Hatley and Rybak push her every day in practice. She also said she has been helped in great fashion

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ALTON - Several bids and demolitions for various properties around Alton were approved by the Committee of the Whole at their meeting on Oct. 23, 2023. A $1,656 bid for 913 Humboldt Ct. was accepted by the committee. The bidder previously stated this property is a lot connected to their backyard. They claimed to have been maintaining the property for 13 years as the city and/or county has been unable to effectively manage the lot’s overgrowth, but the bidder has plans to “beautify” it. “My plans are to continue to keep up with the maintenance and plant native species landscaping to help with the efforts to beautify and support the growth of our wonderful town,” the bidder wrote to the city. A $1,093.78 bid for 225 Hamilton St. was also approved. While the bid was placed by a different individual than 913 Humboldt Ct., they cited similar reasons for the bid - the bidder wrote that 225 Hamilton St. is next to their current property and they also seek

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ALTON - If there’s anyone who’s embodied the spirit of Marquette Explorer football over the past few seasons, it’s been Carter Dennis. Usually an unsung hero on the offensive and defensive line, in Marquette’s final home game of the season, head coach Eric Dickerson drew up a play to get the senior lineman the ball. Carter made a move like a seasoned halfback, got to the outside, and scored a six-yard rushing touchdown in his final game wearing Explorer Blue at Public School Stadium. The touchdown got the biggest cheer from the night from Marquette fans, and from Carter’s teammates alike. “When we drew up that little play to get him the ball, I had no idea we’d be down by the goal line,” said Eric Dickerson, on getting Carter the ball in the fourth quarter of their final regular season game. “It was a great team moment there, and for Carson to end his high school career that way is awesome.” Carter thought so too. “It

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EDWARDSVILLE – Mayor Art Risavy has announced details of the Edwardsville Enhancement Plan, a strategy for creating a green corridor throughout the City, improving parks and public spaces and enhancing the community’s quality of life. “The City of Edwardsville is embarking on an exciting multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative that will benefit the entire City,” Mayor Risavy said. “Our goal is to enhance the beauty of the area and the quality of life with smart growth principles that prioritize the preservation of greenspace.” The Edwardsville Enhancement Plan will utilize revenue from the recently passed quarter-percent sales tax increase to acquire and preserve greenspace, invest in City parks and new public spaces, fund future capital projects and support the City’s public safety pensions. The sales tax increase takes effect January 1, 2024. The City Council set one piece of the Edwardsville Enhancement Plan in motion on Tuesday night

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor Pritzker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Deputy Governor Grace Hou, Deputy Governor Martin Torres, elected officials, and state agency directors at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning to announce a proposal to create a new state agency to house all early childhood programs and funding. The new unified agency will provide a more equitable, integrated, and holistic system of services for young children and families in Illinois. “We need a governance system that is unified in its approach to serving families, working with providers, and promoting equity,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our Smart Start Illinois plan served as the catalyst for this transition, but this new agency will cover so much more. From ISBE’s Early Childhood Block Grants and DCFS’ day care licensing program to DHS’ child care, home visiting and early intervention services, soon all of these programs will be administered under

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis-based law firm Lewis Rice is pleased to announce new leaders for nine of its practice groups. Practice Group Leaders at Lewis Rice implement practice management and development plans that support the firm’s key commitment to deliver the highest quality legal services. “The strategic plans these experienced attorneys build and execute enable Lewis Rice to operate more efficiently, provide better service to our clients, and continue to be the law firm of first choice for our clients and top legal talent,” said Firm Chairman Richard B. Walsh Jr. The new practice group leaders include: • Aaron L. Pawlitz leading Corporate Strategies The Corporate Strategies practice group guides business leaders and investors through regulatory, contractual and deal-making landscapes so they can achieve their objectives, pursue opportunities and navigate emerging challenges. • Billee Elliott McAuliffe leading Cybersecurity & Data Privacy The Cybersecurity

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ALTON - Calvary Baptist Church plans to open a new Christian school in Alton by Fall 2024. They hope to offer preschool through 12th grade. Parents are invited to attend a “Vision Night” at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, to learn more about the plans for Calvary Christian School and decide if it’s a good fit for their family. “We’re looking forward to getting the word out and letting people know what we’re going to be doing with the school,” said Wade Dobson, associate pastor. The church is in the process of completing foundational documents and renovating its building at 1422 Washington Avenue in Alton to accommodate the school. The grade levels they offer will depend on the space requirements and how many students register for each grade, but Dobson is “very confident” in their plans to teach preschool through elementary school. They hope to teach middle and high school as well. The Vision Night will help the school’s

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with 18 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief on Monday urging the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey to support former Jackson Hewitt tax preparers who say they were harmed by no-poach agreements utilized by the nationwide tax preparation chain. The brief supports the former tax preparers, who are plaintiffs in a proposed class action lawsuit, and argues the no-poach provisions used by Jackson Hewitt in its franchise agreements are presumptively unlawful. “No poach agreements hold back workers by limiting their ability to seek better employment opportunities,” Raoul said. “I will continue to advocate on behalf of all workers and their families, and I am committed to holding employers accountable for policies that violate workers’ rights.” In their brief, Raoul and the coalition argue that no-poach agreements, which prohibit corporate-owned and franchise Jackson Hewitt locations from

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CHICAGO - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of a federal program that allows children from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to reunite with their parents in America. Raoul and the coalition filed the brief supporting the Biden administration in a case brought in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas challenging the Central American Minors (CAM) program. “Ending the Central American Minors program would have devastating effects on individuals seeking asylum in the United States from violence or social upheaval in their native countries,” Raoul said. “Reducing the number of dangerous border crossings saves children’s lives. I urge the court to affirm the executive branch’s ability to parole individuals into the United States.” The CAM program was created in response to an increase in life-threatening border crossings by children from

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ALTON - Alton Committee of the Whole members voted 6-1 to approve an $8.1 million redevelopment agreement for “Alton Circle Plaza,” also known as the newly-established Route 3 and Buckmaster Business District . The city has agreed to partially reimburse the developer for the large-scale, long-term project. The developer, Missouri-based Valcour Development Company, proposes a total of $8,105,725 worth of various interior and exterior improvements and associated costs “in an attempt to substantially enhance the economic viability of the shopping center and the businesses located in the vicinity thereof,” according to the resolution to approve the agreement. Some of the proposed improvements and their associated costs are as follows: “Landlord work”: $2,565,000 Building facade improvements: $1,375,000 New roof measuring 76,000 square feet: $1,140,000 The City of Alton has agreed to reimburse Valcour for up to 50% of approved redevelopment

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ST. LOUIS - Mayor Tishaura O. Jones is attending the Accelerator for America conference in Kansas City, MO, alongside St. Louis Development Corporation CEO Neal Richardson. Together they will meet with Mayors Lucas (Kansas City, MO), John Giles (Mesa, AZ), Tim Kelly (Chattanooga, TN), Andy Schor (Lansing, MI) as well as economic development leaders to promote the Economic Justice Action Plan as the gold standard for promoting economic mobility in historically disinvested cities like St. Louis. All lodging is paid for by Accelerator for America. On Tuesday Mayor Jones will attend the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) conference in Baltimore, MD, to discuss the ways recent legislation, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, amplifies contracting opportunities for historically marginalized communities in the allocation of funds to state and local governments. She will attend alongside Mayors Brandon Scott (Baltimore, MD), Celina Benitez

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