Riverbender 🕸

The Center Square – The first of several hearings was held Friday on the problems plaguing the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. State Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Oak Park, said the subject matter hearing would be held in the House Appropriations-Human Services Committee amid reported department shortcomings so lawmakers could “form holistic, long-term solutions.” Some lawmakers during the virtual hearing Friday said issues like children being kept in psychiatric facilities rather than being with families is alarming. The latest is the case of a 13-year-old boy who was held in emergency custody for months despite a judge’s order to move him to a more appropriate setting. Earlier this month, a Cook County judge cited DCFS Director Marc Smith for contempt for failing to relocate the boy to a therapeutic foster home. Now there is word that a particular emergency housing facility was the subject of 161 service calls to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE —Seventeen-year-old Aria Burnside is able to able to list “small business owner” and “entrepreneur” on her resume and starting last week she can call herself “ Madison County Made .” When the Edwardsville teen started baking two years ago, the furthest thing from her mind was opening a bakery. At the time, Burnside was struggling in high school, which led her mother, Charmian Aaron, to enroll her in homeschool classes online. Not only did Burnside’s grades improve, but she discovered a new talent — baking. “After I started home-school, I was always at home, so I just started baking,” Burnside said. “When my mom got home from work, I would be like, ‘Here, taste this.’ I started giving it to people at my church, and they encouraged me to start selling it.” Burnside’s mother helped launch the business — Aria’s Cookies & Confections — which began selling goods

Continue Reading

MANKATO - The Academic High Honor and Honor lists (Dean's lists) for the past fall semester at Minnesota State University, Mankato have been announced by interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Brian Martensen, and Delaney O'Donnell of Wood River, IL, has been named to the Honor List. Among 3,6,55 students, a total of 1,054 students qualified for the High Honor List by achieving a 4.0 straight "A" average, while 2.601 students earned a 3.5 to 3.99 average to qualify for the Honor List. To qualify for academic honors, undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours for the semester. For additional information, please visit theri website. Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,546 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 30 colleges and seven universities.

Continue Reading

PEORIA - Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 4 was requested by the Peoria Police Department to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving Peoria Police Officers. The incident occurred at 11:59 p.m. on January 30, 2022, at a location in the 1200 block of East McClure Street in Peoria, IL. Preliminary information indicates the officers were responding to a call of a suspicious person armed with a gun. When the officers arrived at the location, the officers made contact with a male subject who subsequently fled the scene. A foot pursuit ensued and there was an exchange of gunfire between the subject and the officers. No officers were struck by gunfire during the incident. The Illinois State Police was requested by the Peoria Police Department to investigate the use of force incident which occurred in Illinois. No additional information will be released at this time by ISP Zone 4. ISP Zone 4 Investigations is leading this open and on-goin

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - Riverbend Axe Throwing will open its second location in mid-to-late February at 806 Tri-Point Lane in Jerseyville, along Route 16 across from Farm & Home. The new location will feature 11 axe throwing targets: four standard lanes with two targets per lane, and one triple lane with three targets for larger parties and events. It will also feature a bar serving local and domestic bottled and canned alcoholic beverages, pool and foosball tables, two dart boards (owner Dan Brynildsen said a dart league will be starting soon), and an outdoor area for games and food trucks. Brynildsen said he’s always had his eye on expanding, but a few things made him choose Jerseyville. “Looking at where our clientele is coming from, we saw that a lot of them are coming from up North, like Jerseyville and even further north,” Brynildsen said, adding that several Riverbend Axe Throwing League members are also from Jerseyville. “This summer, we had our mobile

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - As a first grade teacher, Cari Wencewicz quickly learned that her favorite part of the day was sitting at the reading table working with small groups of students to become better readers. It was that love of figuring out what they were struggling with and helping them grow that drew her to being a reading specialist. Wencewicz is in her 17th year of teaching, 16 of which have been in District #7. After spending eight years teaching first grade, she is in her ninth year as a K-2nd reading specialist. “Being a reading specialist allows me to focus all of my energy on one area,” she said. “I get to really zoom in on the reading process and find what works and doesn’t work for each student.” Wencewicz said her favorite thing about being a reading specialist is that is incredibly rewarding. “To know that I have helped hundreds of children unlock the reading code and go on to be successful students and adults is pretty wonderful.

Continue Reading

Our Love Story: The Couple: Steven and Lauren from Godfrey Date Met/Started Dating: December 9, 2020 Briefly Describe First Date: St Louis Aquarium after he flew here from Los Angeles Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Watching Rams football, Eating Mexican food, Being with our kids Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always support each other. Communication is key in a happy relationship

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will mark Black History Month with “Women of the Movement” creator Marissa Jo Cerrar, historian Tamika Nunley and the debut of a new theatrical presentation. The ALPLM also has digitized a rare interview with track-and-field legend Jesse Owens and will make all six hours of audio available to the public for the first time. February also includes Lincoln’s birthday. Admission to the museum will be free for everyone on Feb. 12. “Black history is American history, and it must be celebrated all year long. But February offers a chance to put an extra spotlight on the tragedies and triumphs of African Americans,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Shutt will interview Cerrar in a special online discussion on Feb. 17. Cerrar is the creator and writer of the mini-series “Women of the Movement,” which focused on

Continue Reading

Our Love Story: The Couple: Mayor David Goins and First Lady Sheila Goins of Alton Date Met/Started Dating: August 15, 1981 Briefly Describe First Date: David and I had our first official "outing" when he was home (Alton) for spring break from college. I was only a sophomore in high school. He took me to see the movie "Endless Love" at the Alton Cinema. I was a bit uncomfortable watching a LOVE movie with him, as I really wasn't feeling him in that way! lol I thought it was a bit presumptuous of him! In my mind, I thought...Endless Love? Really, dude? lol I guess he knew what the future would hold for us. Nonetheless, that was our first real date even though we were technically not dating! Date Married: June 16, 1984 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We love shopping! In fact, David loves shopping just as much as I do! We have a good time while out in the stores. We also enjoy spending time with our beautiful family. We have 3 adult children and 12 grandchildren!

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark accepted a plea of guilty from Ronald Scott on January 27, 2022, for knowingly robbing a commercial establishment and knowingly brandishing a firearm in furtherance of that crime. A grand jury in the Eastern District of Missouri previously indicted Scott in August 2020. Judge Clark set sentencing for May 10, 2022 . According to the plea agreement, on September 18, 2019, Scott and his co-defendant robbed the McDonald's Restaurant located at 1119 North Tucker, Saint Louis, Missouri, within the Eastern District of Missouri. Scott, a former employee from this McDonald’s location, brandished a pistol in commission of the robbery. Both suspects were wearing masks and one was wearing a grey backpack. Scott and his co-defendant left the McDonald's in a silver Chevrolet Impala. A few days after the armed robbery, the silver Chevrolet Impala was stopped by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers. Officers

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – 1099-G tax forms are now available for claimants who received unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in 2021, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today. Claimants who collected UI benefits last year need the 1099-G tax form from IDES to complete their state and federal tax returns. Also called Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments, this form is necessary for individuals who received state or federal UI benefits. This includes claimants who received regular UI benefits and/or benefits under the expired federal pandemic relief programs, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Lost Wages Assistance (LWA), Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), and state Extended Benefits (EB). Claimants who opted to receive their 1099-G tax form electronically have received an email notification with instructions to access the form from

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Town and Country Bank is pleased to announce that Clair Crider has been promoted to Mortgage Loan Originator in Edwardsville. Previously serving as a Mortgage Loan Assistant, Clair is eager to continue helping clients throughout the Metro East with all of their purchasing and refinancing needs. “We are so excited to see Clair grow and excel in her new role as our latest Mortgage Loan Originator. Her professional experience in mortgage servicing and sales will be instrumental to Town and Country Bank’s mortgage division and homebuyers alike. I know she has the expertise to build impactful relationships with customers, providing them with exceptional service when meeting their unique financial needs,” said Cass Wolfenberger, President and CEO of Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services. “I am here to make the home-buying or refinancing experience for customers as easy and hassle-free as possible. My knowledge of loan programs and available grant

Continue Reading

Our Love Story: The Couple: James Morrissey & Helen Crause from Godfrey Date Met/Started Dating: May 14, 2020 Briefly Describe First Date: Because of the Pandemic, we ordered pizza from Roma’s and drove out to pick it up. Then drove back to Jim’s home and had pizza and wine. Date Married: October 23, 2021 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Going to the movies, watching sports on tv, and going out to eat. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Life is too short. Always share your love with each other. Listen to each other. Never any cross words. Be happy.

Continue Reading

Our Love Story: The Couple: Theresa and Dave from Mt. Olive Date Met/Started Dating: October 11, 1997 Briefly Describe First Date: Our first date was the haunted theater in Alton, and then to Fast Eddie's. Date Married: May 22, 1999 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We enjoy being with family and friends. We also enjoy having our grandbabies; they are amazing. We enjoy float trips, going to Eminence Missouri, horseback riding, and just going for a nice cruise through the country. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always stay positive, always say I love you, and never go to bed being mad at each other. Always talk your problems out.

Continue Reading

Our Love Story: The Couple: Cianna and Kimmi from East Alton Date Met/Started Dating: May 15, 2018 Briefly Describe First Date: Game night at my house was one of our first and favorites. Date Married: July 17, 2021 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We love spending time with the kids together. We are everyone's favorite aunties. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: ALWAYS have fun. Keep the kid at heart alive. Make each other laugh. It's about being the other person's joy in life.

Continue Reading

ALTON - Schnuck Markets, Inc. announced today that Deli Order Ahead Kiosks have been added to its Alton, IL store as well as 29 others, bringing the total of locations offering the time-saving feature to 67 locations. The kiosks allow customers to order sliced meats, cheeses, and prepared foods while skipping the line at the deli counter. Customers enter their phone number and will receive a text when it is ready instructing them to return to the cooler next to the kiosk to pick up their order. “The kiosks offer a simple, convenient, and pain-free alternative to fulfilling orders placed at the deli counter,” said Chace MacMullan, Schnucks Senior Director of Digital Experience. “This is one of the many ways we are providing customers best-in-fresh solutions while also making it easier for teammates to manage orders at the deli counter.” In addition, customers of these stores can now place their Deli orders for same day pickup before leaving home by using the

Continue Reading

Our Love Story: The Couple: Cindy and Tom Flynn from Hartford Date Met/Started Dating: December 1, 2012 Briefly Describe First Date: Met at Allstars in Bethalto. He was in a band playing and a friend set us up to see if it was a match. PS: married him, he was a drummer. Date Married: May 11, 2014 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We enjoy going to flea markets to look for Hot Wheels, Sugar Skulls, or Pigs. We enjoy just being with each other every day. I enjoy listening to him playing music and just singing to me. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always listen and give each other space to do your own thing. Never go to bed angry, always kiss goodnight, or hug or even a pat. Tell each other I love you. I believe we say this 10 times a day.

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The following students have been named to the Honor Roll at Metro-East Lutheran High School for the first semester of the 2021-22 school year. 9th Grade Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) Logan Abbott, Edwardsville Rachel Brown, Edwardsville Joseph Feldhaus, Collinsville Yoonseo Jo, Edwardsville Jacob Kober, Collinsville Ethan Linnenbrink, Maryville Isabelle McLeod, Troy Erik Neath, Edwardsville Timothy Rainey, Collinsville Sofia Schwartzkopf, Edwardsville 9th Grade Honor Roll with Distinction (g.p.a. 3.75-3.99) Kate Jose, Worden Christian Kuethe, Moro Andrew Maske, Greenville Elijah Moore, Litchfield Faith Sigstad, Belleville Alexis Weber, Alton Taylor Weber, Alton Kathren Wright, Troy 9th Grade Honor Roll (g.p.a. 3.5-3.74) Dalton Beers, Edwardsville Christian Greer, Moro Jennifer Haynes, Centreville Eliza Hurn, Collinsville Evan Klaustermeier, Glen Carbon 10th Grade Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) Faith Hall, Edwardsville

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Alton Little Theater says, "Yes, love is in the air" with Joe Simonelli's stage play, With This Ring , opening on Friday, February 11th and running through Sunday, February 20th. There will be eight performances with evening shows beginning at 7:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Matinees on Feb. 13th and Feb. 20th will be at 2 pm. One of ALT's favorite actors, Shea Maples, will be making his directing debut with this lovely tribology about four couples living in the same New York City apartment over the span of 100 years - and yet each couple has a varying connection to a magical ring that changes the course of their love for each other. The couples, aptly portrayed by Cheri Hawkins, Kelly Hougland, Chelsea Gould, Dylan Heck, Ian Wonders, John Kirkpatrick, Gail Drillinger, and Megan Kolosieke, take on the lives of real people enduring the realities of love, pain, loss, and gain as they traverse the course of deep and lasting love. ALT welcomes newcomers

Continue Reading

Our Love Story: The Couple: Elizabeth & Scott Schepers from Brighton Date Met/Started Dating: October 28, 1998 Briefly Describe First Date: Went to the movies to see Something About Mary Date Married: July 20, 2002 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Watching our boys play baseball & soccer, spending time with family & camping. During COVID pandemic we have done home improvements together. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always say love you, be honest, and open communication is what has worked for us for 20 years.

Continue Reading