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CHICAGO - As the new school year gets underway, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding eligible taxpayers that they may claim back-to-school expenses for their K-12 students on their 2024 Illinois individual income tax returns. “Both teachers and parents spend a lot of money in preparation for each school year and that is why I encourage them to utilize valuable savings offered through both the Illinois Educational Expense Credit (for parents) and the Instructional Materials and Supply Credit (for teachers)," explained IDOR Director David Harris. "It is important they keep receipts for all qualifying purchases in a safe place so they can be accessed when it is time to file their taxes.” The Illinois Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of a full-time K-12 student under the age of 21, to take a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250 this year. The total credit may not exceed $750, regardless of the number of qualifying

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ALTON - Two vehicles collided in the parking lot near Alton Square Mall Drive on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 27, 2024, although no injuries were reported from the scene, according to local authorities. The incident coincided with a more severe accident at the intersection of Clawson and Brown in Alton . The Alton Police Department and Alton Fire Department responded to both crashes, experiencing a particularly busy 20-30-minute period. "Fortunately, the collision near Alton Square Mall Drive did not result in any injuries," said Alton Fire Battalion Chief Derrick Richardson. Emergency responders were able to manage the situation effectively, ensuring that both scenes were attended to promptly.

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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community High School senior catcher Emily Collins was a key player for her Panthers' squad this past spring. She batted near the .400 mark for the season and was one of the area's best hitters. Emily is a Sparklight Female Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. She was capable of standing in as a catcher, but also played first base, second base and outfield as a performer for the Southern Illinois Lady Roughnecks. She committed to play softball at Marian University in Indianapolis, Ind. Emily's head coach Chelsea Crnokrak was so proud of Emily for her performance this past season for the Panthers. "Emily was an offensive and defensive threat as our leadoff hitter and catcher," the coach said. "Very few runners have attempted to steal, as she has a quick reaction time and a strong arm. Our team is very young this year, and Emily has stepped up to be a leader in all aspects of the game." Again, congrats to Emily on her Sparklight Female Athlete of the Month honor

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ALTON - Two vehicles collided on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 27, 2024, resulting in one car crashing into Kinder Auto Repair at Clawson and Brown Street in Alton and another landed in a nearby front yard. Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief Derrick Richardson reported that no injuries required transportation to medical facilities. "The other vehicle ended up in a sod lot of a house," Richardson said. "Thankfully no one had to be transported." Kinder Auto Repair's garage sustained significant damage from the impact, Richardson said. The extent of the damage has yet to be fully assessed. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by the Alton Police Department.

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JERSEYVILLE – Zach Weiner, a standout athlete from Jersey Community High School, will continue his baseball career at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. Weiner, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 pounds, was a leading hitter and an excellent first baseman for the Panthers during the 2024 season. Weiner is a Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for Jersey Community High School for his efforts in the spring 2024 season. Weiner's athletic prowess was not confined to the baseball diamond. He also played as a tight end and defensive end for the Panthers football team, recording six tackles in a game against Waterloo last season. Jersey head baseball coach Darren Perdue praised Weiner's dedication and work ethic. "Zach worked hard to achieve that goal," Perdue said. "He would always get his reps in and he led by example. He will be missed." Weiner's performance as a first baseman and pitcher made him a formidable opponent, according to Perdue. His commitment to the sport

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ALTON - The Alton Amphitheater is hosting their famous Jazz and Wine Festival this Saturday, and you could win up to a four-person reserved table to enjoy the evening. From 6–10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, the Alton Amphitheater will transform into an outdoors jazz club complete with live music and a wide selection of wines. The festival will feature music from the Alton Jazz Confluence, which includes select Alton and Godfrey student musicians, followed by Left of West. Headliner Jim Manley will then take the stage for an hour-long set. “It has become an evening where people can go on a date. I like to say it’s a very classy event,” said Dan Herkert, amphitheater commission chair. “If people haven’t been there, they don’t realize, you really can set up a jazz club outdoors on our stage. It is an intimate setting where you are up close and personal with the musicians.” There are up to four free tickets available. The winner

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the first 2024 death of an Illinois resident with West Nile virus (WNV). The individual, who was in their 80’s and lived in Lake County, had an onset of symptoms of WNV in mid-August and died soon after. IDPH is also reporting nine non-fatal cases of WNV confirmed to date this year. “Sadly, Illinois is reporting our first death of the year attributed to West Nile virus,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “This death – and the six that occurred last year in Illinois - are a stark reminder that West Nile virus poses a serious risk, especially to older people and those with weakened immune systems. This is why while warm weather continues and mosquitoes are breeding, we should all take steps to ‘Fight the Bite.’ Please protect yourself and your loved ones by reducing exposures, repelling insects with clothing and repellents, and reporting locations at high risk for

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BETHALTO/CASEYVILLE — Earlier this year, a resident of Bethalto fell victim to a sophisticated online scam, losing nearly $93,000. In a calculated move, the perpetrators sent an individual to the victim's home under false pretenses to secure some of the funds, which were subsequently converted into cryptocurrencies to conceal the illicit gains. Upon receiving the complaint, officers from the Bethalto Police Department swiftly gathered and preserved critical digital evidence. Recognizing the complexity of the case, they enlisted the help of a sergeant from the Caseyville Police Department, who has extensive training in cryptocurrency fraud and scams. Together, the Caseyville sergeant and two sergeants from the Bethalto Police Department collaborated to trace the stolen funds, secure the cryptocurrency wallets where the funds were held, and seize the contents. The team worked closely with the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office to obtain the necessary search

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MASCOUTAH – State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights) has announced another Coffee Talk, this time in Mascoutah. This event offers constituents an opportunity to engage with Rep. Schmidt in a relaxed and personal setting. The Coffee Talk is free and open to the public. Details are as follows: Friday, August 30 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM LEU Civic Center’s Education Resource Room (2nd Floor) 213 N. Market Street Mascoutah, Illinois “In order to best represent you, I need to hear about what issues matter to you,” said Schmidt. “I’ve hosted many events like this, and at each one I get to hear new stories about important issues to folks across my district. If you’ve never come to a Coffee Talk, or if you’ve came to all of them, I encourage you to come out and let’s chat about how to straighten up Illinois.” Representative Kevin Schmidt represents the 114th District, which includes a portion of

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WOO RIVER - Isaac Thornton, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to the school's football team. Thornton, who has been playing football for only three years, has quickly risen to become a captain and a role model for his teammates. Isaac is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of Month for the Oilers. "I try to be a leader, but I feel like giving my teammates someone they know they can look up to is just as important," Thornton said. His commitment to both leadership and academics has distinguished him among his peers. Thornton credits much of his success to his coach, Garry Herron. "I’d like to thank my coaches for making me into who I am today," Thornton said. "They took a chance on a kid who didn’t even know the rules of football or had even played a sport until high school and developed me into the student-athlete I am today." In addition to football, Thornton has participated in golf, wrestling,

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HECKER – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that lane closures on Illinois 156 between Illinois 159 and Illinois 13 in St. Clair County began Tuesday, Aug. 27, for crack and joint sealing. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The work is expected to be completed by the end of September. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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RIVERBEND - Danny Margeson’s new book “The Monsters We Make” tells the story of artificial intelligence gone wrong. Margeson, an author from the Riverbend region, explained that his second book was born out of his questions about artificial intelligence (AI) and how it might affect humanity. He has developed his writing skills over the past few years and can’t wait to share his latest book with the Riverbend community and beyond. “I’ve always had this urge, like, alright, I think I’ve got some stories in me, let me just see if I can get it out there,” Margeson said. “As we think about all that’s changing pretty quickly here in the last couple of years with artificial intelligence, you can kind of see the ramp-up. It’s doing more and more for us, and humans have to do less and less in their everyday lives. So I wanted to ask, what does this look like maybe about 20 years from now?” In “The Monsters

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GRANITE CITY — The Long Lake Fire Department responded to a structure fire at Uncle Linny's Restaurant in the 4100 block of Pontoon Road on Tuesday morning. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke and flames coming from the front corner of the building. A box alarm was immediately called, prompting the Mitchell and Granite City Fire Departments to join the effort. Firefighters swiftly managed to bring the fire under control. Granite City put up their aerial ladder. The Pontoon Beach Police Department closed Pontoon Road while firefighters battled the blaze. Although there were people inside the building at the time of the fire, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage remain unknown at this time.

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ALTON - In an appearance on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , Lacy McDonald spoke about her recent article on road safety in Alton in 1924 . McDonald, who manages the Genealogy & Local History Library branch of The Hayner Public Library District, writes weekly history articles for RiverBender.com . In her article “100 Years Ago: ‘Howdy! Half the Road is Yours’: Alton Residents Learn Auto Safety Tips,” McDonald detailed a meeting of the Alton Automobile Club where residents spoke about how to safely operate motor vehicles, which were new to the Alton area. “You weren’t enclosed in a car. You could hear the road rage. You can yell at the people coming towards you,” McDonald joked. “But they were dangerous. People were getting hurt or killed sometimes. That’s part of why, 100 years ago, they were having a safety meeting. The Alton Automobile Club was having a safety meeting at Riverview Park. So that’

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GRANITE CITY - As Labor Day weekend approaches, community members are looking for ways to celebrate the three-day weekend and honor the labor movement. The Granite City Labor Day Parade and Picnic will mark the holiday with a parade through downtown Granite City, followed by a picnic for union families in the community. Dean Webb, president of the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor (GMCFL), explained that the GMCFL has sponsored the event for several years. “It gets all the union families together and a little camaraderie between unions,” Webb said. “We just get out there and show the pride of being in a union and what we’ve done for the city and what working people have strived for over the years.” The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at Niedringhaus and State Street in downtown Granite City. Webb said the steelworkers attend “in very large numbers,” but there are also carpenters, electricians and many more skilled workers who are

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SWANSEA - After an incredible journey spanning over three decades, Chief Christopher Tell of the Swansea Fire Department is celebrating his well-deserved retirement. Chief Tell's commitment to serving his community began in July 1993 as an Explorer. Just a few months later, he became a volunteer firefighter and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming full-time Deputy Chief in 2001 and proudly taking on the role of Fire Chief in September 2018. Throughout his career, Chief Tell has been a steadfast leader, guiding the department through countless calls. Among these, the Saint Matthews Church Fire on Good Friday remains a poignant memory, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Swansea. Chief Tell's dedication extended beyond firefighting, as he also earned his EMT and paramedic licenses to better serve those around him. The Swansea Police Department expressed their gratitude, stating, "Congratulations Chief Tell. The citizens of Swansea were fortunate

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EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Aug. 26, 2024, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the Woodland School Improvement Plan. Dr. Andy Williams, interim principal of Woodland Elementary School, presented the improvement plan alongside members of the Woodland School Improvement Team. Woodland Elementary School is currently a targeted school, meaning one or more student groups is performing at or below the level of “all students” group in the lowest performing 5% of schools, according to Woodland’s scores on the Illinois Report Card . “The members of this team have worked very hard through the summer months to develop a plan to make us all better educators and to continue the path that we were already on, to shift our focus from teaching to learning for our students,” Williams said. “When we think about our district’s theme of, ‘How Can We?,’ we are committe

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ALTON - A recent court filing shows Red Lobster is rejecting leads of 23 locations by Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. A total of more than 100 Red Lobster restaurants closed earlier in the summer. The Alton Red Lobster at 170 E Beltline Parkway, Alton, is not on the closure list released by Red Lobster corporate. The Alton Red Lobster has always been a strong performer for the company. Once the next 23 Red Lobster restaurants are closed, there will be about 500 left, down from the 650 that existed about a year ago. Red Lobster is in the process of selling its company to Fortress Credit Corp., a lender with restaurant management. The firm recently provided $100 million loan to keep the company in business. These are the Illinois Red Lobster locations set to close: - 1604 N. State Road 50, Bourbonnais -902 Commons Drive, Geneva -4625 N. Sterling Ave., Peoria

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GRAFTON - Raging Rivers WaterPark is excited to announce a special offer in honor of Labor Day Weekend. From Saturday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, the park will provide free admission to all first responders, including police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and hospital workers. To take advantage of this offer, first responders must present a non-expired, valid work ID or badge at the ticket booth. This initiative is part of Raging Rivers' commitment to honoring those who serve the community, providing them with a chance to relax and enjoy a day of fun at the water park. Raging Rivers WaterPark features a variety of attractions, including a wave pool, lazy river, thrilling slides, and kids area with an interactive play structure and tipping bucket making it an ideal destination for families and friends looking to cool off and have fun. In addition, the park has added an extra weekend to the season and will also be open on Sept. 7 and 8 for a last chance to slide and splash

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EDWARDSVILLE - Two lifelong campers have completely transformed a few acres of their family’s farmland into a temporary home for fellow RV travelers making a stop in Madison County. The brand-new I-55 RV Park & Campground near Edwardsville, built from the ground up by "RVers" Jeff and Kim Bladdick, is now officially accepting reservations . The campground sits on three acres of land at 4260 Blackburn Road, just off Highways I-55 and 143 at Exit 23. Its proximity to Edwardsville and downtown St. Louis makes it an attractive stopping point for travelers coming to, or through, the Metro East region. Not only does the campground boast 20 full hook-up sites with sewer, water, and electricity, they also offer 20, 30 and 50-amp electrical plug-ins, as well as both pull-through and back-in sites on newly level gravel lots. Nightly rates for back-in sites start at $50, while pull-through sites start at $55. Both Jeff and Kim said there was “absolutely”

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