Riverbender 🕸

WOOD RIVER - The William M. BeDell Achievement and Resource Center (arc) held its annual meeting today at Julia’s Banquet Center in East Alton. The agency honored numerous employees for their service to the arc mission. Those who were recognized for over 40 years of service included Donna Bailey, Frederic Golden, Ph.D., Barb Hammond, Robert Hunt Jr., and Terri Shulte. Employees with over 35 years of service are Carol Basden, Darlene Cox, Wendy Holliday and Becky Simmons. Those with over 30 years of service are Joe Crawford, Grace Daubman, Jane Hibbs, Theresa Leese and James Neely. Nearly 50 percent of arc employees have been with the agency for over 20 years. Executive Director, Chad Rollins, remarked that is timely that the agency is honoring employees in March which is National Developmental Disability Month. Rollins said, “Our employees assist the developmentally disabled through all stages of life.” He added, “We employ Special Education Teachers, Qualified

Continue Reading

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College welcomed new Trustee Donna Ware, a 20-year resident of Alton, to the Board of Trustees during Tuesday’s regular board meeting. Ware, who currently works as an Executive Director of Planning and Design with BJC HealthCare, with more than 30 years in architecture, will serve out the remainder of retired Trustee Charles Hanfelder’s term, to end in April 2025. Description automatically generated" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_9" style="width: 1.7708in; height: 2.2708in;">“I have always had a passion for education in all its forms and how it can truly transform people’s lives personally and professionally, whether through a formal college education, continuing education or trade school,” Ware said. “The mission and vision of Lewis and Clark to empower people and provide relevant and high-quality learning aligns with my own values as I mentor young people in my industry as well as ensure learning opportunities

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) announced the arrest of a 17-year-old male of East St. Louis for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony). On January 14, 2023, the ISP DCI was requested by the East St. Louis Police Department to conduct a death investigation in East St. Louis. A male, later identified as 18-year-old Dejuan J. Tate of East St. Louis, was located with a gunshot wound in the 800 block of North 80th Street. Tate was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased. After a thorough investigation, the case was presented to the St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office. On March 14, 2023, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney charged the 17-year-old with First Degree Murder (Class M Felony). The 17-year-old is currently detained at the St. Clair Juvenile Detention Center with a $1,000,000 bond, 10% to apply. ISP DCI was assisted by the East St. Louis Police Department, St. Clair County Coroner’s

Continue Reading

BUNKER HILL - The “Headstrong Countryboy" fundraiser, a large fundraising event featuring 11 bands, raffles, auctions, and more will be held at the American Legion Partridge Post 578 at 319 Marion Street in Bunker Hill on March 25 from noon to 9 p.m. The proceeds will benefit David Zimmerman, who is battling frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the same type that actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with. David and Stephanie Zimmerman recently appeared on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to discuss the fundraiser and its purpose. Stephanie said the event not only aims to spread awareness about the disease, but also the ways music can benefit those with FTD and similar brain diseases. “With this disease, it affects his ability to find his words and speak,” Stephanie said. “But with music, it’s not affected that part of his brain with music and dancing … the lyrics, he can sing in full sentences, even having this disease where he normall

Continue Reading

ALTON - Jackson Pranger of Marquette Catholic High School and Summer Collman of Alton High School were honored as Students of the Month of March at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey held at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. Jackson Pranger is the son of Rick and Sara Pranger of Jerseyville. He is a senior at Marquette Catholic High School and plans to attend Lewis and Clark Community College and then transfer to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Ag Accounting. While attending Marquette, Jackson has been a member of the National Honors Society for two years. He has earned High Honor Roll all four years while taking honors, AP, and dual credit classes and holds a GPA of 4.4. As a part of Jackson’s Infinity Engineering class, he and two of his classmates created a device that helped workers with disabilities at their job. Also, while at Marquette, Jackson played basketball, soccer and tennis. Jackson has accumulated over 175 service

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Olivia Baca, a senior striker for the Edwardsville High School girls soccer team who scored 25 goals in 2022, is off to a blazing start in 2023, scoring a hat trick in the Tigers' 6-0 season-opening win over Rochester in the Metro Cup showcase event on a chilly and windy March 13 evening at Tiger Stadium. Baca scored her first two goals within the first five minutes of the match, then climaxed her hat trick with a 52nd-minute golazo, hitting a spectacular, curling shot from distance that found the upper right corner of the net that gave Edwardsville a 5-0 lead at the time. In her postgame interview, Baca felt very happy for her team and for the prospects ahead for the Tigers. "I'm feeling really excited for the season," Baca said, "and I feel like we're really playing together as a team and it's really going to be exciting this year." The preseason practices went well for the Tigers and it helped the optimism that surrounds the team as the regular season starts. "The

Continue Reading

ALTON - Senior Brandon Hayes Jr. is the Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Alton High School Remarkable Redbird Of The Month for March. Hayes has been busy throughout his four-year career at Alton High combining being a stalwart on the football team each season and being an active member of the track team as a thrower, but also adding the arts and also Student Council to his overall Redbird high school experience. Brandon took football seriously during his first two years at Alton High, but he said that since his junior year, "he has fallen in love with the sport." He really enjoys the teamwork and skill development offered by the coaching staff at Alton High. He added that he was encouraged by coach Eric Dickerson to become a thrower on the track team to stay in shape for football. Brandon mentioned that he was not as excited about it at first, but in spending time with his teammates and learning more about throwing, he has really enjoyed it. Brandon joined Student Council this year and

Continue Reading

ALTON - Kathryn Saenz, daughter of Kristen and Brian Saenz, is February’s Alton-Godrey Rotary Club Student of the Month. Jenna Dean of Marquette Catholic High School is the other Student of the Month. Saenz was selected because of her hard work and a lot of late nights studying, plus her commitment to clubs and organizations. She is an honors student, an Illinois State Scholar and a Platinum Alpha recipient. Saenz’s GPA is currently at 4.667 and she is ranked 6th in the senior class. With these grades, she has earned membership in the National Honor Society and in Mu Alpha Theta. Kathryn enjoyed the clubs and organizations that she had joined at Alton High. This list includes the Physics team, Redbird Nest, the Math team, Multi-Media Club, FCA, and the tennis team. Through these groups, as well as her 4-H group, she learned that she loves teaching, as well as learning from her peers. Volunteering opportunities are one of the advantages that these clubs provide. With Mu

Continue Reading

ALTON - Jenna Dean of Marquette Catholic High School was honored as one of Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club's Students of the Month of February at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey held at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. Kathryn Saenz of Alton High School was the other Student of the Month. Jenna Dean is the daughter of Tim and Jessica Dean of Jerseyville. She is a senior at Marquette Catholic High School and plans to continue her education at Lindenwood University, studying Business with a focus on Entrepreneurial Studies. Jenna has been on the Marquette girls' golf team for four years and her team won their regional championship this year. Jenna is a member of the National Honor Society, Campus Ministry, Breast Cancer Awareness Club, Yearbook and she is the Student Council Treasurer. She is in the Riverbend CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program this year and she is currently working on creating her personal business which she plans to continue

Continue Reading

I am deeply concerned with the city’s lack of transparency with Wood River voters about the downtown marijuana dispensary. The temptation to rush this through must be enticing, given the tax revenue it would generate. Backroom deals once again define city behavior. They ignore voters and hand-pick winners and losers. What will the cost be for our families? Downtown businesses deserve to know. Did they inform residents that this was being placed four blocks from Lewis and Clark Elementary? No. Did they survey business neighbors? No. Why did they rush this through? Our families and businesses deserve to have input. Wood River deserves better. Dr. David Ayres Candidate for Wood River City Council

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON - Tuesday night’s Glen Carbon Village Board meeting contained an updated report on the village’s Strategic Plan for 2023, as well as a few announcements and the passage of several agenda items. Mayor Robert Marcus began the meeting with a few announcements. He said registration is still open for the Village Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 2 at 1 p.m. at Schon Park. In the event of rain, the event will be held Saturday, April 8 at 4 p.m. at the Village Hall front lawn. Visit this link to register online. The theme for this year’s Glen Carbon Homecoming will be “There’s No Place Like Homecoming,” Marcus announced. The event will take place on Father’s Day Weekend, June 16 and 17. He added that there are a limited number of vendor and sponsorship opportunities still available. More info and sponsorship forms can be found at glencarbonil.gov . Finally, Marcus invited all Glen Carbon residents to the Annual Kiwanis Pancak

Continue Reading

JERSEY COUNTY - Two individuals were airlifted by helicopter to St. Louis hospitals in a serious crash Tuesday afternoon on Highway 67 near Delhi Road in Jersey County. Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns provided the following report about the accident: "One vehicle crossing Highway 67 heading eastbound across the four lanes of traffic was struck by another vehicle, traveling northbound on Highway 67," he said. "A 63-year-old woman and a 51-year-old woman were flown to St. Louis area hospitals. A 59-year-old man was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. "Two helicopters and three ambulances were called to the scene. Betsy Anne Fire Department and Jersey Community Hospital - Ambulance were first on the scene with Jersey County Sheriff’s Deputies. The Jerseyville Police Department also assisted. The crash is still under investigation by the Jersey County Sheriff’s office." Sheriff Manns also remarked this marked the fourth time that helicopters have been summoned to a major

Continue Reading

O’FALLON – The National Safety Council (NSC) reports more that than 90% of all poisonings happen at home. Cosmetics and personal care products lead the list of the most common substances implicated in pediatric poison exposures. According to the most recent data from the NSC, one poison exposure was reported to U.S. poison control centers every 15 seconds in 2020. As part of National Poison Prevention Week, March 19-25, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital reminds you about the dangers of potentially poisonous medicines and chemicals and shares tips on how to keep your loved ones safe. “In the emergency department, we treat accidental poison consumptions that can range from children swallowing soap or cleaning products to adults taking an unadvised dosage of certain medicines,” said Dr. Michel Adonis, interim medical director of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatrics. “It’s important to keep any potentially harmful products out of the reach of children

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON PARK – The Illinois State Police announced they are requesting the public’s assistance in locating 40-year-old Sherkia E. Jointer of East St. Louis, who is a person of interest in relation to a shooting that occurred on March 2, 2023, in the 1200 block of North 49th Street in Washington Park. An adult male victim was found deceased with an apparent gunshot wound outside a residence. Anyone with knowledge of the incident or her whereabouts is asked to contact Zone 6 Special Agent Miller at 618-402-5979, CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477 (TIPS), or visit https://www.stlrcs.org/ . Witnesses can remain anonymous. The public is reminded that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - A new cocktail bar and gaming lounge is coming to Jerseyville this summer, bringing affordable drinks and a comfortable atmosphere along with it. The Reserve Spirits & Gaming , which also has a location in Belleville, is planning to open its new Jerseyville location on May 3. The Jerseyville location will be at 1600 S. State Street, Suite J, the former location of Uncorked Spirit. The Reserve Owner and Manager Patrick Goeke said they have quality cocktails at reasonable prices and an inviting atmosphere with a private gaming room. “I think every town and every city deserves a place to have a nice cocktail at a reasonably fair price,” Goeke said. “We’re able to provide nicer cocktails at a price you wouldn’t normally see, and we try our best to have a really nice selection of bourbon and whiskey. We like to say there’s nothing in-house that we wouldn’t serve or drink ourselves.” He said the business is currently

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Alumni Association is announcing a scholarship for graduating students of Granite City High School entering into the healthcare professions. This scholarship will as- sist students starting their fields of study in a healthcare-related field and is being sponsored by 1967 GCHS graduate Dr. Barbara Fifield Brandt. “Today, hospitals and clinics are experiencing growing shortages of health professionals, especially nurses as well as primary care and mental health clinicians. To meet the growing workforce challenges in caring for our citizens, it is imperative that we spark and nurture an interest in healthcare careers when students are in high school or earlier by providing opportunities and removing obstacles,” stated Dr. Brandt. Barbara Fifield Brandt, PhD, EdM, FNAP is the Founding Director of the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education at the University of Minnesota (UMN). Dr. Brandt is a tenured professor in th

Continue Reading

WACO, Texas - More than 5,100 Baylor University students have been named to the Fall 2022 Dean’s Academic Honor List, which recognizes Baylor undergraduates for their outstanding academic work during each semester. Students honored on the Dean’s List earned a minimum semester grade-point average of 3.70 with no grade lower than a "C" while enrolled in at least 12 graded semester hours. Alton, IL Taylor Freer, College of Arts & Sciences Edwardsville, IL Logan Rigdon, School of Engineering & Computer Science ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University is a private Christian university and a Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating

Continue Reading

ALTON - Urology of St. Louis (USL) is proud to announce it is opening its newest location at Alton Memorial Hospital and will begin taking patients on March 13. The office is located at 2 Memorial Drive, Medical Building A, Suite 102, in Alton, Illinois. Urologists Majdee Islam, MD, Uwais Zaid, MD and Louis Aliperti, MD along with Josh Gibson MSN, APRN, FNP-C will be practicing at the new location. Dr. Islam is fellowship-trained in men’s health and Dr. Zaid is fellowship-trained in reconstructive surgery. The office will offer general urologic care as well as advanced care options including robotic surgery. “I’m so excited to continue to provide access to urologic care and be a part of the Alton community,” said Dr. Aliperti. “I have witnessed firsthand that many of our patients currently have to drive to St. Louis to receive care and in some cases, they delay necessary treatments because of that inconvenience. Our hope is that this new location will

Continue Reading

PONTOON BEACH - The Agency for Community Transit (ACT) Board of Directors recognized five drivers for achieving consecutive years of perfect safety while driving a public transportation vehicle, at the March 9 Board Meeting. ACT operates bus service for the Madison County Transit District (MCT) fixed route and paratransit services. As defined by the National Safety Council, to retain the ‘perfect safety’ designation, drivers must, in all situations, make every effort possible to avoid an accident. ACT drivers Ken Hill and Mike Saylor were recognized for 10 years of perfect safety—while logging more than 20,000 hours behind the wheel of a transit vehicle. Reatha Duff and Calvin Payne were recognized for 15 years of perfect safety, with more than 30,000 hours of driving. And, for the first time in ACT history, Monte O’Bannon was recognized for 25 years of perfect safety! O’Bannon achieved an agency first with her perfect safety record with more than 50,000

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE – Ameren Illinois customers in and around Collinsville and Glen Carbon will see energy at work throughout the spring and well into the summer as crews replace steel pipeline and natural gas services with modern, corrosion-resistant polyethylene material. Ameren Illinois crews will upgrade nearly 2.5 miles of natural gas pipeline from the 1960s and more than 200 individual customers' natural gas services. All work should be completed by early August, weather pending. Phase 1 – Construction is underway in Glen Carbon. The work is being done along Edwards Drive. Phase 2 – Crews will begin work in July. Work will be done along Carl Street in Collinsville. For projects in process, a brief interruption of natural gas service is required while switching individual services over to their new services just before the work is completed. Ameren Illinois will relight natural gas appliances for any customer who requests it. If a customer is not home at the

Continue Reading