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O'FALLON — On Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) sent a letter to Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Omer Osman requesting IDOT’s assistance with a persistent safety issue at an O’Fallon, Illinois, interstate exit. A video of the regular traffic backups at Exit 16 on I-64 Eastbound in Illinois recently went viral on TikTok, garnering more than 40.7 million views. Click here to view the video. “Today, I asked the Illinois Department of Transportation to help us address chronic traffic backups at Exit 16 on I-64 in O’Fallon," Budzinski said. "The confusion and congestion at this interchange create a dangerous situation for local drivers and impedes the flow of traffic. "I’m grateful to the local resident who shared their experience with this exit on TikTok and I look forward to working toward a solution that eases traffic and improves safety.” These are some other comments she provided

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ALTON — Kavon Lacey, one of Alton High School's most celebrated basketball players of all time, has continued to make an impact both on and off the court. Lacey, who scored 1,499 points during his high school career, was an all-state selection and played a pivotal role in leading the Redbirds to a 100-27 record during his career, securing two regional titles and one sectional crown. After a successful high school career, Lacey went on to play college basketball at the University of Evansville from 2007 to 2011. There, he emerged as a team leader, contributing 537 points, 282 assists, and 257 rebounds over his collegiate career. Lacey's leadership skills have since translated into his current role as the men's basketball coach at Lewis and Clark Community College. As the new season approaches, Lacey expressed his enthusiasm for the Trailblazers' prospects. "I am excited about the upcoming season," he said, reflecting on his journey from a standout player to a mentor and

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ELSAH/GRAFTON - The QEM Fire Protection District Auxiliary will host their annual fish fry to raise money for the fire department. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, community members can enjoy fish dinners, sandwiches and desserts at the QEM Fire Protection District, located at 14905 Elsah Road in Grafton. There are also several raffles available. The money raised will help the auxiliary provide meals and equipment for the firefighters. “It’s one of our biggest fundraisers to help raise funds to support the firefighters,” said Heather, who organized the event. “We try to help with getting the firefighters things they need.” The auxiliary regularly provides meals and drinks when the firefighters are on extended call fires. Heather said one meal costs about $150 to provide. While the QEM Fire Protection District funds the buildings and trucks, the auxiliary raises money for extra equipment, including leaf blowers and brush gear.

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ALTON – The Alton Black Alumni Association continues to make a significant impact in the community through its annual golf tournament and reunion. The event serves as a key fundraiser for the Leo C. Cox Memorial Scholarship, which awards $1,000 per year for up to four years to selected students. In 2023, the association introduced a new $500 scholarship to further support educational pursuits. Since its inception, the scholarship has recognized several deserving students: Maika Miller (2016), A'Miracle Gray (2017), Alianna Kottabi (2018), Daijia Robinson (2019), Nina Womack (2020), Trinity Ingram (2021), Kamren Mason-El (2022), Stephens Isabella (2023), and for 2024, Savanna Brown and Keion Lacey. Rhonda Cox, niece of Leo C. Cox, expressed her family's dedication to continuing his legacy. "My family and I are deeply honored to continue to care for his mission and unwavering commitment to the community. This organization meant a lot to him," Cox stated. Richard Watson, wh

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ELSAH/GRAFTON - Four firefighters with the QEM Fire Protection District climbed 2,200 stairs to remember the firefighters who were lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On Sept. 11, 2024, the firefighters climbed up and down the burn tower at the QEM Fire Protection District at 14905 Elsah Road in Grafton. They climbed a total of 110 stories, or 2,200 stairs, in honor of the 343 firefighters who died in the 9/11 attacks and the many others who responded to the call. “The whole event started with my guys wanting to do something to honor the fallen and all the lives we lost that day,” said Aaron Darr, fire chief. “They just honor them that way, by doing the climb that they had to do.” Victoria Westfall, Steven Looney, Ray Clothier and Cameron Mank participated in the climb. The firefighters' friends and families watched as they climbed up and down the tower 37 times. Darr said he “couldn’t be prouder” of his team. “A lo

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September 12th has been a significant date in history, marking numerous impactful events across various fields globally. 1962: JFK's Bold Vision for Space On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy gave his iconic speech at Rice University, setting the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the decade. This speech was instrumental in galvanizing public support for the Apollo program, which ultimately led to the historic moon landing in 1969. Kennedy's vision not only ignited the space race but also inspired generations to reach for the stars. 1940: Discovery of the Lascaux Cave Paintings In a serendipitous event on September 12, 1940, four teenagers and their dog stumbled upon the Lascaux Caves in France, unveiling one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The cave walls were adorned with prehistoric paintings dating back approximately 17,000 years, offering invaluable insights

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Wednesday that a jury has issued a verdict finding a man to still be a Sexually Dangerous Person due to propensities to commit sex crimes. The jury’s finding means James M. Lopes, 49, formerly of Idaho, will remain in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Lopes came to the attention of local authorities in 2016 after he had interactions with children and parents at public places in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, and Livingston. In one incident, he claimed to be on a “mini-date” with a young girl. In others, he referred to young girls as “princess.” Lopes claimed to be a founder of “Rise Star Church,” which on various media channels promoted sex and marriage between adults and children. He distributed business cards, which included a web address for “Rise Star Church,” to children and their parents. His various interactions

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ALTON - The Alton City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution to provide 350 free laptops to “low-income, unconnected households within the Alton School District.” Under the resolution, the city would allocate $68,250 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the nonprofit organization Alton Forward , who would then provide the laptops to the households in need. For 350 laptops in total, the cost comes out to $195 per laptop. The question of who exactly would be eligible for the free devices prompted some discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting earlier this week . Alderwoman Carolyn MacAfee questioned what qualifies as “low-income” and said she opposed the inclusion of four households technically located in Godfrey, some of whom she claimed were “Godfrey taxpayers.” Alderman Raymond Strebel reiterated that the children in these households attend schools in the Alton School District, as stated in the resolution. Alderma

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BETHALTO - This year, Parkside Primary School students learned about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks from a member of the Navy who responded to the attacks — their principal, Aaron Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick explained that his aircraft carrier was rerouted to the Arabian Sea and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom from October to December 2001. Now as an educator, he makes it a point to talk to students about what happened on 9/11 and how we can remember those who were lost. “It was obviously a significant moment in American history and also in my personal life. I didn’t experience Sept. 11 the way most people around here did. I was actually out on deployment and part of a response,” Kilpatrick said. “I bring it back to making sure that we remember, why we remember, the importance of remembering and coming together when bad things happen, and also showing gratitude for our first responders.” Parkside Primary School is made up of secon

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ALTON — Charges have been filed against Michael J. Roberts, a 44-year-old male from Canton, Illinois, in connection with a recent child abduction case, the Alton Police Department announced on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. Roberts has been formally charged with Child Abduction, a class 4 felony, by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, following a detailed investigation. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said on Sept. 10, 2024, the Alton Police Department responded to a call from a concerned parent reporting that an unknown male had approached his juvenile daughter that morning at her bus stop. The male allegedly attempted to lure the juvenile into his vehicle. The juvenile refused and threatened to call the police using her cell phone, prompting the male to drive off north on Fosterburg Road from Moonlight Way. Officers from the Patrol Division and detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division swiftly began their investigation. Evidence gathered led to

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O’FALLON — HSHS Medical Group is pleased to welcome two specialty providers to their medical team. Lawrence Barnes, PA, who specializes in gastroenterology, and Rebecca Harris, APRN, who specializes in neurology, see patients at HSHS Medical Group Multispecialty Care in O’Fallon, located at Three St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., Suite 5000 in O’Fallon, Illinois. Barnes is a certified physician assistant who joined HSHS Medical Group in spring 2024. He has over 22 years of clinical experience in diagnosing and treating acute, chronic, single and multi-system diseases in patients of all ages. He earned his Bachelor of Science in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska School of Medicine. As a certified physician assistant, Barnes also has extensive experience in minor surgical procedures, health maintenance, patient education and preventive medicine. Also joining HSHS Medical Group in spring 2024, Harris is a skilled family nurse practitioner

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ALTON - Calvary Baptist Church has a new club for local kids. The Awana Club meets from 5–7:15 p.m. every Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church, located at 1422 Washington Avenue in Alton. Kids aged 2 to fifth grade are invited to participate. Attendees will play games, enjoy refreshments and study the Bible. The Awana Club is also putting on a production of “The Grinch” in December, and participants will rehearse at every Sunday meeting. “God’s word tells , ‘Hey, it’s okay, I’m in control even though things seem really weird and out of control. I’m in control and I love you,’” explained Mike Harrleson with Calvary Baptist Church. “When they come on Sunday nights for Awana, we teach them God’s word. We have a wonderful group of volunteers that just love kids and love God.” Harrleson explained that the main goal of the Awana Club is to help kids connect to each other and learn from the Bible. He

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COLLINSVILLE — Edith Caudillo, 27, has been charged with Attempted First Degree Murder and Aggravated Battery With a Firearm, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. The charges follow a shooting incident that occurred at 5:37 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in the 8900 block of Rene Avenue in unincorporated Collinsville. According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Collinsville Police officers responded to a call of shots fired at the location. Upon arrival, they discovered that Sergio Angulo-Peraza had been shot in the chest. Angulo-Peraza was subsequently transported to a St. Louis area hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries. The Sheriff’s Office stated that the individuals involved in the incident were known to one another, but did not provide further details on the nature of their relationship. No updates were given at this time to the man's condition. The investigation

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MEDORA - The Village of Medora will host their sesquicentennial celebration this weekend. Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Pavillion Park in Medora, community members can enjoy a parade, a car show, inflatables, games, a Little Mr. and Miss pageant, live music, food trucks and much more. Medora Mayor Derick Isringhausen said he can’t wait to commemorate the town’s 150th anniversary with the community. “We encourage everybody, all the surrounding communities, to come out and help us celebrate,” he said. “I’m really excited. We don’t get to do this very often. It’s a big deal.” The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. All other activities start at 11 a.m. with a car show, bounce houses, petting zoo, cake walk, vendors, attendance prizes and more. You can enjoy basket bingo starting at 12 p.m., followed by a Beard Contest at 1 p.m. The Little Mr. and Miss Pageant starts at 2 p.m., and the band Back in the Saddle

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GRAFTON - Hiking enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers can look forward to a series of on-trail and off-trail guided hikes starting this fall at Pere Marquette State Park. The hikes are set for each Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 14 to Oct. 27, 2024. Each Saturday’s on-trail hikes will start at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with the Visitor’s Center serving as the starting point for both time slots. Additional on-trail hikes will be held each following Sunday morning at 10 a.m., with off-trail hikes taking place on Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m. Lev Smolianski, the natural resource coordinator for Pere Marquette, said on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com that the off-trail hikes offer a more adventurous approach to exploring the park. “Off-trail hikes are going to be geared towards people who want a little more adventure, more strenuous of a hike,” he said. “They’re going to get dirty, they might get stung, it’s going to be a great time.”

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MADISON COUNTY – The Madison County Coroner has identified a Granite City man who died Monday evening in a vehicle crash as Robert D. Wallace, 48. Wallace was pronounced dead following the incident that occurred on Monday, September 9, 2024, in Granite City. The Madison County Coroner's Office said Wallace, the driver and sole occupant of a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse, was traveling southbound on Nameoki Road (State Route 203) when his vehicle left the roadway for reasons yet unknown and struck the West Pontoon Road overpass. The crash occurred at approximately 6:09 p.m. on Monday, prompting the dispatch of Granite City Police and fire units to the scene. Emergency responders extricated Wallace from the vehicle and initiated life-supportive efforts. Despite their attempts, Wallace, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m. Monday by Madison County Coroner’s Office Investigator Samuel T. Stone. Preliminary findings indicate that

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The upcoming events in the area offer a remarkable variety and appeal, from live music and family-friendly activities to specialty markets and cultural celebrations. Whether you're looking to enjoy a captivating performance, explore local artisans, or engage in enriching community activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy. For a full listing of events, visit Riverbender Events . If you want to make sure even more of the region is aware of your event email cj@riverbender.com and explore our range of Event Promotion Services! Featured Taylor Made: A Tribute To Taylor Swift is a special event happening at the Hatheway Cultural Center to benefit the Alton Youth Symphony and Alton Symphony Orchestra. Join us for a night filled with amazing music and support these talented young musicians. Let's come together to celebrate the music of Taylor Swift while giving back to our community. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enjoy great music for a great cause! All

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Whether you’re curled up on the couch engrossed in an autobiography or tucked away in bed late at night with a good mystery, experts say there’s little doubt that reading is good for our health. “It's one of the best things we can do for our mental health and our physical health,” says Ashley Pratt, a psychotherapist for OSF HealthCare. “It's been shown to greatly reduce our stress levels, lower our blood pressure, improve our memory and cognition, and it improves our sleep quality.” Google the word ‘reading’ and there’s no shortage of statistics available when it comes to the importance of picking up a book occasionally. Research shows 75% of adults participate in some form of reading. However, according to another study, the number of children between the ages of 9 and 13 reading for fun has dropped in the last decade. But Pratt says most people need just six minutes of reading time a day to see some health benefit, especially

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SPRINGFIELD Marking National Teen Voter Registration Day, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias reported that nearly 50,000 16- and 17-year-olds have taken advantage of a new law that enables them to pre-register to vote before turning 18. National Teen Voter Registration Day is a nationwide push to get teens involved in the democratic process, with many communities hosting voter registration drives at local high schools. “The earlier a teen gets registered and involved, the more likely they will stay engaged and continue to vote later in life,” said Giannoulias, whose office issues driver’s licenses and state IDs. “This is an opportunity for teens to cultivate a habit of civic participation that I hope continues for the rest of their lives.” Last year, the Illinois General Assembly passed a Giannoulias-promoted measure, sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (29th District—Deerfield) and State Representative Katie Stuart (112th District—Collinsville),

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SAINT JACOB - Zach Heidrich set out on a new adventure in May of this year after purchasing the old Methodist Church in Saint Jacob, and converting it into a wedding and events venue. “I always thought it’d be a neat idea to buy an old church and turn it into something,” Heidrich said. There will be an open house for The Storybook Chapel 12-3 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2024, which will also be the opening day. There will be drinks including beer, wine, champagne, soda, and tea. Heidrich is also planning on having a cake. Vendors are welcome to contact Heidrich for more information. Heidrich will also have a booth at the wedding show on Dec. 1, 2024, at America’s Center in St. Louis. Storybook Chapel has been a staple within the community since the 1800s, with its beautiful stained glass windows, original hardwood floors, and bell tower being part of its unique charm. “There aren’t too many original chapels like this one. Everything now is

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