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ALTON – Sparks Junk Removal owner Denise Sparks on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, expressed shock at the extent of damage after a crash on the east side of her building in the 2200 block of East Broadway. The accident occurred at 9:38 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. Sparks said there was significant damage to the east side of the structure. "It is a nightmare right now," she said. Despite the severity of the crash, she confirmed that there were no injuries. "Thankfully, there were no injuries in the accident. There is quite a bit of damage. I will now work with my insurance company as I have full coverage." Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the preliminary investigation revealed that a gray Chevrolet Malibu was traveling east on East Broadway when the driver and passenger engaged in an argument. "During the course of the argument, the vehicle left the roadway and struck the Sparks Junk Removal building," he said. Ford added: "Both the driver and passenger were treated on scene fo

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ALTON - The City of Alton is proud to announce the successful completion of a transformative infrastructure project with Trane by Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator and CPS LLC, aimed at revitalizing city facilities with a focus on energy efficiency, environmental justice, and diversity. Under the leadership of Mayor David Goins, this project marks a significant achievement in improving the city’s public buildings while promoting long-term sustainability and financial savings. “This project reflects our commitment to environmental justice, energy efficiency, and supporting local businesses,” said Mayor Goins. “I am especially proud of our administration for pushing forward where past efforts stalled, ensuring that the people of Alton benefit from a more sustainable future. The energy savings, coupled with a focus on diversity, demonstrate the values we hold dear.” Infrastructure Revitalization with Minimal Financial Impact The project focused

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LIVINGSTON - Cheap AF Videos will offer a $500 prize for the winner of their Fall Film Fest. From 7–9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 , community members are invited to 600 Livingston Avenue in Livingston for a free film festival, complete with popcorn, candy and a big cash prize for the winning filmmaker. Tony Allen, founder of Cheap AF Videos, explained that the festival will be a fun chance to share work by local filmmakers. “This is going to be really cool, so submit your film, please,” Allen said. “Bring us your material and let the audience take a look at your talent.” Films must be ten minutes or shorter and have a PG-13 rating or less. The festival aims to highlight filmmakers from around Route 66. It costs $16 to submit a film or $7 if you are a college student. High school students can submit films for free, but they must be accompanied by a guardian at the event. The winning filmmaker will take home “ $500 and a super

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Today, we take a journey through time to explore the significant events that occurred on September 9th throughout history. 1947: Establishment of the Computer Age September 9, 1947, is often regarded as the dawn of the computer age. On this day, the first actual case of a computer bug was recorded by Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist. While working on the Harvard Mark II, Hopper and her team discovered a moth trapped in a relay, causing the machine to malfunction. This seemingly trivial incident gave rise to the term “debugging” in computer programming. Hopper's meticulous documentation and her subsequent contributions to computer science have left an indelible mark on the field, paving the way for the rapid evolution of technology that we see today. 1956: Elvis Presley Appears on The Ed Sullivan Show In the realm of music and popular culture, September 9, 1956, stands out as a landmark date. On this day, Elvis Presley made his first appearance

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September 7 and 8 are days rich with history, spanning various events that have shaped our world. 1921: The First Miss America Pageant On September 7, 1921, the first Miss America Pageant was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event was conceived as a way to extend the summer tourist season in the city. Margaret Gorman, a 16-year-old from Washington D.C., was crowned the first Miss America. The pageant has since become an annual tradition, evolving over the years to include not just beauty, but also talent and intelligence as key criteria. The Miss America Pageant has had a significant cultural impact, reflecting and sometimes challenging societal views on beauty, gender roles, and women’s empowerment. Today, it continues to be a platform for young women to showcase their talents, advocate for social issues, and earn scholarships for their education. 1901: The Boxer Rebellion Ends On September 7, 1901, the Boxer Protocol was signed, officially ending the

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BRIGHTON - A 62-year-old man has died following a single-vehicle crash on Highway 111 between Godfrey and Brighton on Sunday afternoon. The man has been identified as Christopher Althage. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. Sept. 8, 2024, near the Madison-Jersey County line, in front of Nilo Farms. According to the Illinois State Police, the preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The victim was airlifted from the scene by Survival Flight for further treatment but later succumbed to his injuries at a St Louis Hospital. Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene, including Illinois State Police, the Jersey County Sheriff, Illinois Conservation Police, and firefighters from Brighton and Godfrey. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

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ALTON - A car crashed into a warehouse on the 2200 block of East Broadway in Alton on Sunday night, Sept. 8, 2024, causing significant damage to the structure. The building, which houses Sparks Junk Removal, sustained extensive damage to one corner of the warehouse. Authorities reported that there were no injuries as a result of the incident. The extent of the damage to the warehouse has yet to be fully assessed, but initial observations indicate substantial structural impairment. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

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BRIGHTON — A 62-year-old man was seriously injured in a crash near Nilo Farms at the Jersey County/Madison County border on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, 2024. Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns reported that the man was in "critical condition" when he was flown from the scene by Survival Flight. The incident prompted a swift response from multiple agencies, including the Jersey County Sheriff's Office, Brighton Fire Department, Godfrey Fire Department, Illinois Conservation Police, and Alton Memorial Hospital Ambulance. More details and an update on the man's condition are expected to be released on Monday, according to Sheriff Manns.

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FIELDON — A large family reunion was held in Fieldon, with nearly 850 descendants of Joseph (Bobo) and Barbara (nee Wachter) Schmieder gathered to celebrate the family’s 140-year history. The well-attended reunion was held on the grounds of St. Mary’s Church in Fieldon. An astounding total of 846 of the more than 1,050 descendants of the Schmieders were present on Saturday, Aug 24, 2024, representing multiple generations. Pictured here are the family’s eldest living member, Rosalee (Sissy) Hansen, age 97, and their youngest living family member, the 5-week-old Kase Kearby. Their 2024 family reunion, bringing hundreds of Schmieder descendants together again, serves as a testament to the family’s nearly century and a half of history rooted in Jersey County.

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Art Fair, produced by the Edwardsville Arts Center, is an annual three-day outdoor juried fine arts celebration held in Edwardsville’s City Park. This year marks the event’s 10th anniversary, and takes place the weekend of September 27th, 28th, and 29th. The Fair features the works of 90+ talented regional, national, and international artists; local performing arts; live art demonstrations; a children’s only art gallery shop and children’s art activities; as well as food and drink vendors. “We're incredibly honored to host these talented artists participating in the 2024 Edwardsville Art Fair,” says Executive Director, Beth Browne. “These diverse artists represent national and international artists with unique cultural identities, life experiences, expressive creativity, and immense amount of artistic talent. In addition, we're equally excited to offer an opportunity for emerging artists and local art student

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MARYVILLE - Donna Wendel, RN, IT Senior Applications Manager, recently celebrated her 43rd work anniversary at the institution, marking her as one of the few who have achieved this milestone. On the occasion, her colleagues surprised her with a celebratory cake from Silly Grandma’s Sweets in Troy. This anniversary is particularly significant as it will be her last; Wendel is set to retire in September. Wendel’s journey at Anderson Hospital began on Feb. 9, 1981, shortly after her graduation. “I actually graduated in January 1981 and started at Anderson on February 9 with my license pending after taking the boards,” Wendel recounted. She initially worked on the 3rd Medical floor for approximately three and a half years before transferring to the 7-room Emergency Department (ED) for another three and a half years. Her career then took her to the Operating Room (OR), where she spent 14 years serving in various roles, including Scrub Nurse, Circulator, First Assistant,

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EAST ALTON – The 29th annual East Alton Soapbox Derby rolled down Berkshire Boulevard in East Alton on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, drawing a sizable crowd under clear skies. The event kicked off with the National Anthem and a silent prayer to honor those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Sirens wailed as fire trucks paraded down Berkshire Hill, setting the stage for the races. Racers, paired off for the descent, navigated the course lined with safety cones and hay bales at the finish line. The East Alton Fire Department sold their famous pulled pork. In addition to the races, the event featured food and drinks, contributing to the festive atmosphere. Longtime attendees noted that the good weather helped build a strong turnout for the annual community gathering.

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ALTON - With the announcement that Alton Little Theater has hired a new executive director, current Artistic Director Kevin Frakes is preparing to step down. Frakes has worked with Alton Little Theater (ALT) for 57 years. He will retire in December after the theater’s run of “A Christmas Carol,” which Frakes is directing. “I’m ready,” Frakes said. “I’ve been there for over 50 years, and I think it’s time.” Frakes said he regularly spends 12–14 hours a day at the theater. In addition to directing, he builds sets and completes administrative tasks for ALT. Lee Cox, current executive director, will also be stepping down in 2025. She plans to take on a mentorship role through May while the new executive director, Eric Sykes, assumes the position in January. Sykes’s new role will combine the positions of executive director and artistic director. “Dear Kevin Frakes will be retiring after ‘A

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ALTON - Backstoppers will host a 9-Pin Bowling fundraiser to support local first responders. Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Bowl Haven Lanes in Alton, community members can enjoy three games of bowling, a strikepot, a silent auction, a bake sale and more. All proceeds go directly to Backstoppers, which benefits local police departments, fire departments and emergency services. “ everybody coming out and donating and showing their support and seeing everybody, seeing the guys stop in and taking their pictures, seeing what we’re doing for them,” said Melissa, one of the organizers. The event encourages community members to have fun at the bowling alley while donating to Backstoppers. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. DJ Lightning and Thunder will provide music. The top three bowlers will receive prizes. There are also several silent auction items available, from an alcohol basket to gift cards to a doggie basket. The

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ALTON - The Mississippi Earthtones Festival offers free entertainment and art for community members to enjoy. From 12–10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at the Alton Amphitheater, people can enjoy the 18th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival (MEF), complete with art exhibits, vendors, live music and environmental education. This year’s theme is “Emerge and Be Heard.” “It is absolutely at its heart about celebrating being a river community,” said Sara McGibany. “The Mississippi is our biggest natural asset. We use it for everything from recreation and commerce to everything in between. It just runs through our entire lives. So this is our opportunity to get everybody together. It’s really concerned about protecting our waterways and making sure that we’re all living our most environmentally-friendly lives that we can.” McGibany is the executive director of Alton Main Street, one of the organizations that sponsors

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ALTON - Another redevelopment agreement using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is on the agenda for the Alton Committee of the Whole’s consideration and possible approval on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. The item appears on Monday’s agenda as a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a redevelopment agreement with Honke Properties LLC, in accordance with the city’s TIF program. The project consists of improvements to a piece of real estate whose legal description is associated with the address 307 Henry St. in Alton. This property is a multi-story brick building on the corner of Henry and East 3rd Street which houses multiple businesses, including Honke Properties. The full scope of the project includes “interior accessibility improvements, including elevator modernization and hydraulic jack replacement.” While the total cost of the project is estimated at $74,545, the City of Alton has agreed to contribute $18,636 towards its completion, according to

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s fall 2024 enrollment stands at 11,893 a 1.26% decrease compared to the previous fall term. Our student body for fall 2024 comprises scholars from diverse backgrounds, representing 45 U.S. states (Guam and Puerto Rico included) and 66 countries. This fall, we welcomed 1,534 first-time, full-time students. SIUE has focused attention on transfer relationships to create clearer pathways for students to make seamless transitions. This year brought an increase of 6% in transfer student enrollment. This number is also bolstered by the greater availability of online degree completion programs, with Business Administration as a leader with strong enrollment. SIUE also realized notable enrollment growth in dual credit and early college students by 31%, and a 7.9% increase in international enrollment, resulting in the largest class of international undergraduates and the highest overall enrollment of international students

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EDWARDSVILLE - Local rugby club Metro East Mayhem is gearing up for the start of the season on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 for their increasingly popular youth rugby program. Featuring multiple age groups, levels of contact, experienced coaches and more, the program offers a great way to get kids outdoors while learning skills to use on and off the rugby field. Caleb, Corey, and Kegan, three coaches for the youth rugby program, appeared on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com in anticipation of the season starting as the program continues into its third year. The youth rugby program offers options for multiple age ranges with varying levels of contact. These include the “full-contact” age group for ages 11-13 and the “non-contact” group from ages 6 to 8 - but the program is also proud to introduce a brand-new age category for “kind-of contact fundamentals,” designed for kids ages 8-10. Caleb said this new “middle group” provides

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EAST ALTON — A juvenile was struck by a vehicle in the 400 block of North Center Street on Friday, prompting a response from the East Alton Fire Department. Firefighters arrived at the scene and found the injured pedestrian near Kutter Park. Due to the severity of the injuries, an Arch Medical Helicopter was summoned to transport the victim. The juvenile was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis for further treatment. Further details on the victim’s condition have not been released. The road was shut down.

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GODFREY - In a ceremonial gesture that underscores the enduring partnership between the Village of Godfrey and Godfrey Fire Protection District, Mayor Mike McCormick presented Fire Protection District Trustee Gerard Fischer with a $50,000 check. This considerable sum represents the fifth annual installment Godfrey has made toward the purchase of Firetruck #1422, a critical asset in the district’s emergency response fleet. This agreement has not only facilitated the acquisition of this vital vehicle but also cemented the financial cooperation between the two entities. Ten payments will be made via this agreement, for a total of $500,000. The check presentation took place at the new firehouse, located at 3023 Godfrey Road, in front of personnel and Firetruck #1422. Mayor McCormick lauded Trustee Fischer for his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Godfrey’s residents. “This is more than just a transaction, it’s a testament to the collaborative

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