Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - A local photographer is working on a project that aims to destigmatize cannabis use by highlighting prominent cannabis users in the Riverbend community. By taking photos of business owners, volunteers and other big names in the area while they use cannabis, Taralei Griffin hopes to break the stereotype behind marijuana. Her work will also promote the Last Prisoner Project, an initiative that pushes for criminal justice reform so no one is imprisoned for possessing or using cannabis. “People should not be having their lives ruined over this healing plant,” Griffin said. “So that’s kind of my goal. I’m going to be starting this photography project because I feel like there’s such a strange dissonance with the sheer amount of people in this area who do rely on it to get through their day, whether it’s medically or just to unwind in the evenings, but then there’s still so many people who are scared of it and don’t understand.

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GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Village Board unanimously denied a special use permit for a short-term rental property on Madison Avenue after neighbors had voiced their disapproval and the owner allegedly already listed it on Airbnb, among other ordinance violations. A similar permit for a different short-term rental located on Edwards Street was unanimously approved after passing the Planning Commission with no complaints from the public. Director of Community Development Erika Heil presented both ordinances regarding the special use permits to the board for a vote on Tuesday. While she said the first short-term rental didn’t draw any criticism or public comments and passed along a 3-2 vote from the Planning Commission, the second short-term rental was unanimously voted down following a series of problems. “We’ve had some issues with this property regarding them putting it out on Airbnb ahead of time, those types of things,” Heil said. “Since

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ALTON/GODFREY - The North Alton-Godfrey Business Council (NAGBC) held its monthly meeting with guest speaker Cory Jobe on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Business owners and community members gathered at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center in East Alton to listen to Jobe speak. He discussed the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau , of which he is the president, and the organization’s goals for the community. The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau represents Madison, Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Calhoun and Green Counties in Illinois where the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers intersect. The Great Rivers and Routes region is the only place where Route 66 meets the Great River Road. Jobe’s presentation focused on the region’s unique assets, including the rivers, the Great River Road, Route 66 and Pere Marquette State Park. He noted that the annual visitors to Pere Marquette rival that of the largest state park in Illinois,

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JERSEY - Sophomore Meredith Gray is a key component of this year's Jersey Community High School basketball team. She towers above many of her foes at 6-foot-1 and is the tallest girl on the Panthers' squad. Gray is one of the team's leading scorers, averaging 12.7 points a game and 8.8 rebounds. She also has recorded 1.6 steals per game, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest. Gray is a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. She is also a varsity middle hitter in volleyball. "Meredith is a sophomore forward and she returns to her starting role this season and has built on what she did last season," Jersey head girls basketball coach Caleb Williams said. "She can play inside if we need her, but she shoots well from the outside." Williams said Meredith also drives the ball well to the basket and is a force for other teams to contend with every game. Again congrats to Meredith Gray on her recognition as a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month fo

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COLUMBIA, Mo. - Columbia College recently announced its dean's list for the Fall 2023 Semester (August-December 2023). To be named to the dean's list, a student must have completed 12 credit hours in a 16-week period and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale. Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 170 years. As a private, nonprofit institution, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs. With 25 locations across the country, about half of which are on military installations, students may enroll in Day, Evening or Online classes. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Columbia College has more than 97,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ccis.edu. Students from the area who received this honor include: HOMETOWN; NAME, LOCATION ATTENDED Alton Cierra Johnson,

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ALAMOSA, CO. - Andrew O'Keefe, Granite City, Ill., graduated Cum Laude from Adams State University, located in Alamosa, Colo, during the Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony on December 16, 2023. O'Keefe earned a Bachelor of Science in geoscience: physical geography and conservation; and a minor in history. "Living in Alamosa and all the people I have met as well as the things I have learned in the classroom have made life-changing impacts. I am inspired to be a lifelong learner and to hopefully share knowledge I have gained at Adams State by being a teacher someday." O'Keefe is planning on pursuing a master's degree in education at Adams State and eventually teaching high school science and coaching cross country and/or track and field. "My professors pushed me to complete quality work in the classroom. They also pushed me to apply for scholarships and get involved in work outside of the classroom that related to my degree." O'Keefe received athletic scholarships for track and field

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WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. Two seniors (1 female student and 1 male student) who were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for $500. “Eagles of the Year” scholarship each at the end of the school year. 2023 December’s Eagles of the Month winners: Math - Sabrina Smith Visual Arts - Abigail Clowers Social Studies - Ryne Breyer PE/Health - Caleb Hartwell Choir - Sydney Law Band - Kimberly Price Science - Quentin Roose English - Abagail Saboff C.T.E. - Kaitlyn Twente Midwest Members Credit Union wishes the students well in their future endeavors. Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for 89 years. To find out more information abou

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HIGH HONOR ROLL Senior Class of 2024 High Honor Roll List for Semester 1 Matthew Arendell, Reydien Bailey, Chiara Biciocchi, Kelsey Bray, Carson Burns, Lola Francis, Mia Greenwell, Abigail Hellrung, Ashlynn Huber, Gavin Humm, Alyssa Kasten, Logan Keith, Colin LeMarr, Parker LeMarr, Allyson Mann, Abigail McDonald, Aubrey Reno, Zachary Rue, Hope Seniker, Madison Seymour, Haley Stormer, Fiery Street- Heywood, Alexandra Wigger, Emma Wyman Junior Class of 2025 High Honor Roll List for Semester 1 Ike Austin, Laine Behrends, Reagan Beilsmith, Ian Brantley, Secilia D’Angelo, Gracie Darr, Madison Fenstermaker, Kyle Foss, Hailey Gula, Alexis Harrop, Addison Jeffers, Kori Laubscher, Ryan Lowis, Nicholas McGee, Hannah McQuay, Elizabeth Milford, Ava Pulley, Emily Raymer, Anneliese Shatley, Addison Strohbeck, Sydney Valdes, Piper Voorhees, Danni Wehmeyer, Sophomore Class of 2026 High Honor Roll List for Semester 1 Gage Alexander, Gus Arnold, Ava Bacon, Ava Ballard, Bram

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GODFREY - The Nature Institute will host two Owl Prowl events to give the public a chance to learn more about owls and hear them in the preserve. Great-horned owls and barred owls are the two common owls in Illinois. During the winter these owls build nests, find mates, and defend their territory. Since owls are active and vocal when defending their territories, it gives us a chance to consistently hear them in the wild. Treehouse Wildlife Center will bring several owl species to The Nature Institute on two occasions this winter. The Valentine’s Day Owl Prowl on February 14th is designed for adults. This program will be a unique event with learning, appetizers, and wine for groups of friends and couples to enjoy together. The Treehouse program will start indoors with the live owls and snacks, then we will head outside to call and listen for wild owls. On February 16th, Treehouse will return for a family oriented program. Families will learn about owls, and meet the owl ambassadors

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SAINT LOUIS – Crime continues to decline in the City of St. Louis. Today Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, joined by Public Safety officials and Community Violence Intervention partners, highlighted the significant progress on the state of public safety since the administration took office in April of 2021. With targeted investments in crime prevention, intervention, and enforcement, St. Louis experienced a 21 percent reduction in homicides (158 in 2023 compared to 200 in 2022), the lowest murder rate in a decade and one of the biggest year-over-year reductions in violent crime in 90 years. Total Part 1 crimes, consisting of murder, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, felony theft and auto theft, are down a total 22 percent. “I am encouraged by our continued progress to make St. Louis safer,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “But now is not the time to celebrate. One life lost to gun violence is one too many, and in 2024 we will continue to stick

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rockhurst University has announced the dean's list for the fall 2023 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above. Rockhurst University, founded in 1910 and located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition committed to providing inclusive, innovative and transformative education. As a comprehensive university and supportive community of nearly 4,000 students, its mission is to form lifelong learners in the liberal arts tradition who engage the complexities of our world and serve others as compassionate, thoughtful leaders. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Rockhurst among the top Midwest Regional Universities. Rockhurst has held the community engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching since 2010. Learn more at www.rockhurst.edu. The following students earned a place on the list: HOMETOWN, NAME Glen

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JERSEYVILLE - Adam Kribs is off to an outstanding season for the Jersey boys bowling team. Adam bowled a 1332 series at the Abe Invite with a high game of 278 and an average of 222 for the day, the sixth-best against some of Southern Illinois' best teams. Adam is a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. "Adam is a senior leader for our program and he puts in the work and leads by example with his attitude and work ethic toward becoming a better bowler and teammate," his bowling coach Trent Morgan said. Season statistics for the first six matches: 11/29/23 - Bowled 599 series against the Roxana Shells 11/28/23 - Bowled 642 series - high game 258 against the Triad Knights 11/27/23 - Bowled 653 series against the Taylorville Tornadoes 11/21/23 - Bowled 649 series - high game 279 against the Waterloo Bulldogs 11/16/23 - Bowled 606 series against the Southwestern Piasa Birds 11/15/23 - Bowled a 696 series - high game 245 against the Metro East Lutheran Knights

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The 2015 horror film “The Visit” gives the Hollywood treatment to sundowning. An impostor grandmother is seen running the halls, scratching the walls and vomiting, terrorizing two children in the home. A little exaggerated, says Courtney McFarlin, PA , an OSF HealthCare internal medicine provider who specializes in geriatrics. But she says sundowning is an all too real experience for some older adults. What is sundowning? McFarlin explains that sundowning is not a medical condition, but rather a way to describe behavior seen at night. It’s triggered by a disruption in your circadian rhythm. “That’s our body’s natural, 24-hour sleep/wake cycle,” McFarlin says. “It’s regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain. Based on daylight and darkness, it tells our body to be alert during the day. And it helps us settle down in the evening to want to go to sleep.” Many things can disrupt your circadian rhythm, like illness,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville firefighter/paramedic Mark Vann recently completed his first year with the department and he is being featured as a Difference Maker in that community. Vann was appointed to the Edwardsville Fire Department in 2023. “He brought a great deal of fire service and emergency medical service experience to the job,” Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said. Vann previously had volunteered with the Rosewood Heights and Bethalto fire departments. Along with that, he had been employed by Alton Memorial EMS. He also had been a member of the Edwardsville Fire Department Explorer Post. Vann said he enjoys training alongside and the knowledge he gains from the other Edwardsville firefighters. "I really enjoy working in a busy and fast-paced department,” he said. Vann added that in his off time, he enjoys fishing and playing guitar. Mark is married; his wife is Megan.

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JERSEY - Sophomore Meredith Gray is a key component of this year's Jersey Community High School basketball team. She towers above many of her foes at 6-foot-1 and is the tallest girl on the Panthers' squad. Gray is one of the team's leading scorers, averaging 12.7 points a game and 8.8 rebounds. She also has recorded 1.6 steals per game, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest. Gray is a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. She is also a varsity middle hitter in volleyball. "Meredith is a sophomore forward and she returns to her starting role this season and has built on what she did last season," Jersey head girls basketball coach Caleb Williams said. "She can play inside if we need her, but she shoots well from the outside." Williams said Meredith also drives the ball well to the basket and is a force for other teams to contend with every game. Again congrats to Meredith Gray on her recognition as a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month

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EDWARDSVILLE - In Crowd will host a “Blooming Where We Are Planted” brunch fundraiser on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2024, people can enjoy brunch from several local restaurants, live and silent auctions, and a dueling pianos performance with Mike Sonderegger. All proceeds go to the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which provides housing and financial literacy classes for families in need. Lindsay Gilreath, executive board member with In Crowd, explained that the networking group is eager to host a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. “ was really born on the idea that professionals need a time and place to form relationships and growth with one another on both a professional and a personal level,” Gilreath said. “One of those core pillars is an intentional community, which for us has two meanings. One is building the networking community inside In Crowd, having those that you can

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JERSEYVILLE - The American Red Cross and the NFL are teaming up to reward two lucky blood donors a trip to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Donations will be accepted the entire month of January 2024 - donors can either sign up at this link or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “DelhiBaptist” to schedule an appointment. A blood drive is also scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2024 at Delhi Baptist Church, located at 18151 Church Lane in Jerseyville. All donors throughout January will be automatically entered into a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, which also includes access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 9-12, 2024), and a $1,000 gift card for expenses. The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years.

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EDWARDSVILLE − Trinity Lutheran Ministries in Edwardsville hosts an annual Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K for charity and other holiday fundraising events, and this year's effort collected more than $8,000 for area charities and 2,500 items were donated to the Glen-Ed Food Bank. This year's seventh annual Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K was held on December 9, 2023, with more than 240 participants. The sweaters and competitors came in all ages and sweater styles. Trinity's school held its annual Holiday Shop earlier this month, where students were allowed to purchase presents for friends and family members at school, with all of the proceeds going to the Ed-Glen Food Pantry. This year's Holiday Shop raised more than $3,000 for the food pantry. The school also held a canned food drive for the Glen-Ed Food Pantry, and 2,549 items were collected and donated to the organization. This was an increase from the 1,800 items donated in 2022 and equaled more than 2,200 pounds of food. Prizes were

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ST. LOUIS - The week in the St. Louis/Metro region is setting up for an interesting weather ride. Jon Carney, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said another round of snow will occur Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, coming from the west around the rush hour. “Strong winds could produce some low visibilities for drivers,” he said. “The temperatures will be falling below freezing at this time and we probably will see some icy spots and snow accumulation. People need to be aware of this as they travel late afternoon into the evening in the area.” Another round of rain/snow weather is in the forecast for Friday. Right now, Carney said it was too early to talk about how much snow could accumulate this weekend. “We will have rain that will likely turn to snow on Friday morning, then it will get pretty cold,” Carney said. “Saturday morning, low temps in the mid-teens are predicted and it shouldn’t get over freezing on Saturday in the area. On

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RIVERBEND - Sexual assault/abuse is all too common. While the ER is a good place to go immediately after an assault to treat physical wounds, sexual assault and domestic violence survivors usually have emotional or mental wounds that need attention, too. In the weeks, months and years following an assault, it can be difficult to process what happened or move forward without proper support. Therapists, support groups and loved ones can help you through this. There are also advocates who are specially trained to support survivors in the immediate aftermath of an assault. What advocacy groups are near me? Sometimes you aren’t sure what help you need; you just know you can’t do it by yourself. This is when an advocate can step in to help you through the process of going to the ER, reporting an assault to the police or finding resources to support long-term recovery. Many of these groups also offer counseling or support group services. Ultimately, you don’t

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