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BETHALTO - Aaron Kilpatrick didn’t expect to be an educator, much less the principal of Parkside Primary School. As a self-described “decent” student, Kilpatrick felt a little lost after graduating high school. He dropped out of community college, then joined the U.S. Navy at age 21. Eventually, he found himself as the principal of Civic Memorial High School and now Parkside Primary School, and the native Floridian is proud to call Bethalto home. “This is close to 800 miles away from where I grew up, but I do consider Bethalto home now,” he said. “There’s no place I’d rather be.” Kilpatrick credits the Navy for a lot of the good in his life. He met his wife on an aircraft carrier in Washington state. She is his “biggest supporter,” and she encouraged him to pursue education after they moved to Bethalto to be closer to her family. With her advice and the memory of a high school teacher/football coach who inspired

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HARDIN - On Oct. 27, 2024, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was notified of a Disturbance in Progress, at a hunting property located in the area of Ash Bridge Hollow, Batchtown, Calhoun County, Illinois. The caller alleged that during a verbal altercation, another man had discharged a firearm at him. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the scene and took the suspect into custody. A firearm used in connection with the following offenses was recovered at the hunting property. Scott P. Pohlman, age 50, of Deer Plain, Illinois was arrested for the following offenses: Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Assault (Firearm), Reckless Discharge of a Firearm. Pohlman was arrested without incident and was booked into the Pike County Jail and is currently being held without ond. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office continued to investigate the matter, and subsequently executed several court authorized search warrants on Pohlman’s residence

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EDWARDSVILLE – The public is invited to take part in a festive “grand relighting” ceremony in early December to celebrate the soon-to-be-finished renovation of the Wildey Theatre marquee. City officials and supporters will flip the switch at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, to reveal the newly restored neon glow and other improvements to the historic downtown theater’s marquee. The event will be jointly hosted by Mayor Art Risavy and elected officials and the Friends of the Wildey organization, which raises funds for the 115-year-old theater, concert hall and event center at 252 N. Main Street. The Friends provided just over $67,000 to pay for the bulk of the marquee work. Joe Hutton of Miller & Maack General Contractors donated design and coordination services. “Whether you’ve been coming to the Wildey for decades or haven’t yet experienced this downtown treasure, we hope you’ll join us for this fun occasion,” Mayor Risavy said. “We

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ALTON - On a recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust, Linsey Timmins spoke about how her faith has helped her through grief after losing her husband, Tyler Timmins. Tyler Timmins was a Pontoon Beach police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2021. Linsey explained that she questioned God following her husband’s passing, but her faith has ultimately helped her handle her grief. “Tyler made me strong,” she said. “I was definitely a girl when I met him, and he helped create me into a woman and helped grow me into the woman that I am today. I’m definitely a lot softer today than I was when he married me. He married a fiery version of me, and she’s slowly coming back. But I think that whenever you go through a significant loss, especially whenever you lose your person, you lose a part of yourself, too. Grief is a weird journey.” Timmins said that Tyler fit perfectly into her life. He felt like

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GODFREY - Homes by Emmons and Cress is one of Godfrey’s top homebuilders and are known for meeting and exceeding the expectations of their buyers. For over 30 years, they planned and provided communities with quality built homes and condominiums in Godfrey and Jerseyville, Illinois. The company is a family business started by Bob Emmons in 1987. Bob started working for Sheppard, Morgan and Schwaab Engineers (SMS) in Alton in 1969. During his 10 years there, he worked on many of the existing subdivisions in the Alton/Godfrey area. After leaving SMS, Bob started buying and developing property of his own in the area. He started in residential construction in 1987 and was owner of Country Home Builders, which built many fine homes in the Godfrey area. Subdivisions developed are Arrow Wood Country Estates, Country Cove Estates, Heritage Gardens, The Estates at Eagle Ridge, Estates at Summerfield and Villages at Summerfield. Daughter Amy Cress joined the business in 2000. Amy

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As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, fall beckons us to gather with friends and family to celebrate the season. A fall-themed dinner party offers a wonderful opportunity to showcase seasonal ingredients, warm flavors, and cozy decor, creating a memorable experience for your guests. This article guides you through planning and executing a delightful fall dinner party, from menu ideas to decor and ambiance. Choosing the Right Date and Time Before diving into the specifics of your dinner party, it’s essential to select a date and time that accommodates your guests. Consider weekends or holiday evenings when friends and family are more likely to be free. An early evening gathering allows guests to enjoy the twilight of fall, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Setting the Scene: Fall Decor Creating an inviting environment is key to a successful dinner party. Embrace the fall theme through your decor by incorporating warm colors, natural elements, and cozy textures.

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On November 19, 2024, we reflect on a day rich with historical significance, filled with remarkable events that have shaped our world. One of the most significant events to occur on November 19 is the International Conference on Climate Change held in 2023. This conference marked a pivotal moment in global environmental policy, where leaders from around the world gathered to discuss the urgent need for action against climate change. The outcomes of this conference influenced policies in numerous countries, setting ambitious targets for carbon reduction and emphasizing international cooperation. This event underscored the global commitment towards sustainability and demonstrated a growing recognition of the climate crisis as one of the most pressing issues of our time. Moving back in time, we find ourselves in the year 1863 , when President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This

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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community High School Principal Thomas Leslie is pleased to announce that 18 students from the JCHS Graduating Class of 2025 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. The following students have been selected based on class rank and SAT scores: Abbigail Benz Jaxon Brunaugh Corah Derrick Dax Goetten Brayden Groves Kate Hudson Ari Leslie Reese Lorton Matthew Maag Maggie Maxeiner Kiley Pickel Caitlyn Poletti Katie Schultz Dinah Slusser Amelia Strebel Isaac Wargo Annabelle Yamnitz Corree Yates JCHS Principal Thomas Leslie states: "We are incredibly proud of our eighteen seniors who were named Illinois State Scholars from the Class of 2025. This is an honor that distinguishes these students among the best of the best in the state of Illinois and beyond. These students are bright, determined, and they make Jersey very proud."

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WOOD RIVER - Plans have changed for a dog park in downtown Wood River after the City Council on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, rejected the only bid it received for the project. According to the resolution, the city only received one bid for the project from RCS Construction, Inc. of East Alton. The total estimated cost of their proposal was $370,545, which “far exceeded the amount budgeted by city for the project.” As previously reported on Riverbender.com , the City Council voted in October to pursue the creation of a dog park and pocket park at 217-223 E. Ferguson Ave. City Manager Steve Palen said at the time Economic Development funds had been budgeted based on estimates of $100,000 for the dog park and $150,000 for the pocket park. As of Monday’s meeting, his estimate for both parks remained over $100,000 based on the bid from RCS. Palen said he still intends to build the dog park and pocket park using City of Wood River crews - except for wor

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EDWARDSVILLE - Elise Thompson, a junior for the Father McGivney Catholic girls swimming team, had a breakthrough performance for herself and the Griffins at the IHSA sectional meet on Nov. 9, 2024, at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center in Edwardsville.Thompson was a part of the 200-yard medley relay team that finished sixth in 2:15.37. earning a medal, and also was fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke at 1:11.51. She also had a time of 2:28.37 in the 200-yard individual medley and was the anchor for the 200-yard freestyle relay team that came in at 2:00.70, all excellent efforts. In a post-meet interview, Thompson felt she swam well, and was very proud of her two medal-winning performances. "Personally, I think I did very well," Thompson said. "The relay I was part of took sixth place, and individually, in the 100 breaststroke, I took fifth place. So, I think I did pretty well, personally." For such a young program such as the Griffins have, it's a very good start, indeed. Yeah, I thin

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EDWARDSVILLE - Alton's Ella Valyo had a very good showing in her events at the girls sectional swim meet, held on Nov. 9 at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center at Edwardsville High School. Valyo was a part of the 200-yard freestyle relay that had a time of 2:15.81, came in the 109-yard backstroke at 1:19.6, and was also a part of the 400-yard freestyle relay team that came in at 5:15.64. Ella is an Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. It was indeed a good showing for Valyo and the Redbirds, and she thought she had a good performance, despite not having swam for some time. "I thought it went well," Valyo said in an interview conducted shortly after one of her heats. "Not too bad, for not having swam for a little bit." Valyo also felt that her teammates also swam well, went out, and did their best Valyo also had a very simple goal going into the sectional. "Just to swim my hardest," Valyo said. Which she and the rest of her teammates did throughout. "I hope OK,"

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EDWARDSVILLE - Megan Sykes, who competed on the Granite City High girls swimming team this fall, enjoyed a successful IHSA sectional meet on Nov. 9, 2024, at Edwardsville's Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center. Sykes had a 100-yard freestyle time of 1:11.35, was a part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that came in at 2:04.80, and had a time in the 100-yard breaststroke of 1:45.65 to complete her program on the day. Megan is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month. In her post-meet interview, Sykes felt she and her teammates swam well on the day, and was happy with her performances "I feel pretty good about how I did," Sykes said, "as my own person and our team. I think we did pretty good." Sykes felt that she had a good meet as well, personally. "I think we had a good meet," Sykes said. "We did our best." Sykes is best known for being a basketball player for the Warriors but enjoys swimming very much. "I enjoy it a lot," Sykes said. "It's fun, and it's a good workout."

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WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—along with U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL-07) and Andy Kim (D-NJ-03) introduced the Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act . The legislation would create a Department of Defense (DoD) pilot program to designate pregnancy as a Qualifying Life Event under the TRICARE program, empowering servicemembers and their spouses to choose a health care plan that meets their needs during pregnancy. This legislation builds on Senator Duckworth’s, Congressman Kim’s and Congresswoman Sewell’s bicameral efforts to include a version of this bill in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). A Duckworth-led provision to accomplish this goal was included as a briefing requirement in the FY2025 SASC NDAA Committee Report in July. “After all the sacrifices they make

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BETHALTO/COTTAGE HILLS - The Medical Careers classes at Civic Memorial High School will host a fundraiser to buy medical training supplies. Taught by Angie Parish, Medical Careers 1 and 2 cover basic medical skills and encourage students to pursue medical careers after graduation. On Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, the classes will host a virtual golf outing at Grip & Sip in Cottage Hills. All proceeds go toward the classes to buy supplies. “I’m just giving them an opportunity, and the kids are running with it,” Parish said. “They just need that opportunity out there. The community support is absolutely amazing, and I can’t thank the community enough for what they’re doing for us.” Golfing starts at 10 a.m. on Dec. 14. It costs $100 for a two-person team and nine holes of golf. For $10, attendees can also enjoy a putting contest and a chipping contest, where the winners get half of the pot. The silent auction will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

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WOOD RIVER - Drake Champlin, a senior at East Alton Wood River High School, is being recognized for his outstanding achievements in both football and wrestling. Over the course of his high school career, Champlin has demonstrated exceptional athletic prowess, earning accolades that highlight his dedication to these sports. Champlin has been playing football for 12 years, starting at the age of five. He served as a captain during his junior and senior years and received All-Conference honors during his sophomore and junior years. In his senior season, he tallied 63 total tackles. Drake is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. In wrestling, Champlin has also excelled, qualifying for the state competition three times in the 215/220-pound weight class. He placed second in the 215-pound category at the 2024 Illinois State Championships. Champlin's wrestling accolades include being named Rookie of the Year in his freshman year, Most Valuable Wrestler i

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JOLIET - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined representatives from Veterans Energy Team and Joliet officials to celebrate the opening of the first electric vehicle (EV) charging station funded under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). ? The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) recently awarded the $480,000 grant to Veterans Energy Team, a local veteran-owned business that partnered with the Joliet Park District to build EV fast chargers at Inwood Athletic Club and Nowell Park. “Since my earliest days in office, the General Assembly and I have relentlessly pursued one of the most ambitious climate agendas in the nation. Reducing air pollution from transportation is vital to a healthy future for our children and our planet,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, you see the product of that vision in the first deployment of a CEJA-funded electric vehicle charging port, thanks to support from our federal partners and utility companies. Over the

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EAST ST. LOUIS, IL – State Representative Kevin Schmidt donated his pay raise for the month of November to Catholic Urban Programs in the form of a food donation. Schmidt has donated every month’s pay raise to a different local food pantry or non-profit organization throughout his district since voting against the pay raise for legislators last year. “Our local food pantries need our help,” said Schmidt. “As promised, I donate back my personal pay raise each month to a local food pantry or community organization. I’m putting my money where my mouth is.” Catholic Urban Programs serves people in need throughout the Diocese with a concentration in East St. Louis and surrounding communities. They focus on advancing the dignity of the human person and empowering people to become self-sufficient through crisis intervention, housing security, and out of school time programs. Schmidt donated to their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, which will

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ALTON/GRANITE CITY - All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes received a $5,000 donation from U.S. Steel and a $250 donation from the Granite City Rotary Club. As an organization, All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes provides pairs of shoes and socks for over 700 local kids every December. This year, their work has been boosted by the donations from the U.S. Steel Granite City Works Employees Torch Club and the Granite City Rotary Club. “We are so excited for these local donations that help fund this program,” said Sue Wooden, one of the organizers with All God’s Children. “We’re very thankful for these donations that help make the whole thing run.” Wooden explained that she was contacted by Chris Mitchell, who works in the communications department of Granite City Community Unit School District #9. Mitchell shared the nonprofit’s mission with the Granite City Rotary Club, and members were eager to present All God’s Children

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GRANITE CITY - An 18-year-old from Granite City faces five felony charges after an attempted traffic stop led to a high-speed police chase. Christian J. Thebeau, 18, of Granite City, was charged with the following: Unlawful possession of a stolen firearm (Class 2 felony) Offenses related to motor vehicles (Class 2 felony) Aggravated unlawful use of weapons (Class 4 felony) Aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (Class 4 felony) Resisting a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor) On Nov. 11, 2024, Thebeau allegedly led officers on a high-speed chase following an attempted traffic stop. After the vehicle was “disabled,” he fled on foot before the situation escalated further. “Defendant fled the traffic stop and traveled at speeds in excess of 21 mph over posted speed zones,” according to a petition to deny his pretrial release. “The vehicle was disabled and the defendant fled on foot from officers. “Defendant then

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EDWARDSVILLE — The grand opening of EXO on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, featured a variety of attractions, but a standout performance was the traditional Lions Dance presented by a troupe from the St. Louis area. Led by Paul Lee, the Lions Dance Troupe captivated the audience with their vibrant display, which is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. "The Lions Dance is to be prosperous and make lots of money, and is very traditional with the Chinese," Lee said prior to the performance. The dance, which included drumming, gongs, and cymbals, serves multiple purposes in Chinese culture, according to Mike Ho, one of the drummers in the troupe. "A Lions Dance in Chinese culture is a symbol for power, wisdom and superiority. Lion dances are performed at Chinese festivals or big occasions to bring good fortune and chase away evil spirits," she explained. Ho elaborated on the significance of the Lions Dance, noting that it is often performed to celebrate new beginnings, such as openings,

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